Prepared by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, Office of Public Affairs Tommy Irvin, Commissioner. Call Consumer Q's Hotline at 1-800- 282-5852 (toll free, state wide).

CONSUMER ALERT/RECALL: Peanut butter produced at Blakely, Ga. plant recalled for potential Salmonella contamination. Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin confirms today that peanut butter produced in a Blakely, Ga. plant and distributed in bulk to institutions, food service industries and private label food companies is being recalled due to potential Salmonella contamination.

Irvin reports that 21 lots of the recalled peanut butter — produced at the Peanut Butter Corporation of America (PCA) processing facility in Blakely, Ga. — is packaged in containers ranging from five to 50 pounds.

All affected peanut butter was produced on or after July 1, 2008. None of the peanut butter being recalled is sold directly to consumers through retail stores.

Eating food contaminated with the Salmonella bacteria can result in abdominal cramping, diarrhea and fever.

The specific lot numbers of the recalled products are: 8193, 8194, 8197, 8233, 8234, 8235, 8241, 8255, 8256, 8275, 8276, 8282, 8283, 8284, 8296, 8316, 8330, 8331, 8336, 8345, 8354.

Stock number, description, and pack size: 551000 - Creamy Stabilized Peanut Butter - 6ct/5 lb; 551006 - Crunchy Stabilized Peanut Butter - 6 ct/5 lb; 551020 - Creamy Stabilized Peanut Butter - 35 lb; 551022 - Natural Course Peanut Paste - 35 lb; 551025 - Old Fashioned Creamy Peanut Butter with 1% Salt - 35lb; 551035 - Crunch Natural Peanut Butter - 35 lb; 551040 - Creamy Natural Peanut Butter - 35 lb; 551050 - Creamy Stabilized Peanut Butter - 50 lb; 551050- D - Dark Creamy Stabilized Peanut Butter - 50 lb; 551051 - Creamy Stabilized Peanut Butter with Monodiglyceride - 50 lb; 551053 - Crunchy Stabilized Peanut Butter - 50 lb; 551072 - Peanut Butter Variegate - 45 lb.

The peanut butter sold in bulk packaging and distributed to institutional and food service industry users, is also sold under the brand name Parnell's Pride and King Nut.

All customers of the affected peanut butter are asked to take the product out of distribution immediately. Those wanting additional information should contact PCA at 1-877-564- 7080 or visit the company website at www.peanutcorp.com.

Q: Who regulates food safety dating, what does the federal government do?

A: The Food & Drug Administration, which regulates packaged foods and drugs, only requires a use-by, or expiration, date on infant formula. That's because formula must contain a certain quantity of each nutrient that is described on the label. And if formula is stored too long, it loses its nutritional quality, and also separates or form lumps that will clog the bottle nipple.

The state Agriculture Department, which regulates fresh produce and meats, only requires labeling of the date when poultry is packed at the farm. However, many manufacturers are allowed to also add sell-by or use-by dates. "Grocery stores that grind their own meat can add their own package labels.

If you have questions or problems with services or products regulated by the Georgia Department of Agriculture you may write Consumer Services, 19 Martin Luther King Drive, Room 224, Atlanta, Georgia 30334 or call toll free at 1-800-282-5852 (state wide).