Peanut Industry Weathers Storms as Consumers Return to the All-American Staple

/PRNewswire/ -- According to U.S. Department of Agriculture's November crop report, U.S. peanut farmers continue to face challenges as persistent rains and flooding throughout the Southeast have made this year's harvest a challenging one. With rain accumulations in the majority of these regions totaling 200 percent of normal or more, harvest in 3 of the 4 largest peanut-producing states has been delayed and crop forecasts are down 30 percent from last year. But despite the wet field conditions, America's peanut farmers and their families have something to be thankful for this holiday season as retail data shows a dramatic increase in peanut butter sales as consumers move past January's product recall.

In January, farmers watched recalled peanut products being pulled from shelves while unaffected peanut products, such as peanut butter, sat unpurchased. Through the National Peanut Board's (NPB) integrated marketing campaign - incorporating public relations, advertising and special events - farmers were front and center before the consumers who buy their products to allay concerns and remind consumers of the great taste of peanuts and peanut butter and its role in a healthy diet.

"We were brokenhearted to see a crop we raised and relied upon for our family's success involved in such a large food recall due to negligence of one food manufacturer," said Roger Neitsch, a Texas peanut farmer and Chairman of the NPB. "Although we weren't responsible for the manufacturing problem, we knew we had to do something."

Their efforts are achieving dramatic results; peanut butter sales continue to recover from a devastating 19.42 percent drop in volume during the January recall to positive volume growth for peanut butter in all outlets as early as March 2009. Back-to-school season in August was an important test of confidence for the American consumer and data showed an 18.6 percent increase in volume over the same period in 2008.

"Peanut farmers are passionate about what they do and the food they grow," said Raffaela Marie Fenn, NPB's president and managing director. "When the research pointed to a high degree of confusion and misperception among consumers, our farmers jumped at the opportunity to speak directly with consumers to ease their concerns."

With increases in peanut butter volume sales recorded every month since March the efforts of the industry have paid off and are proving to be a sunny spot in an otherwise rainy harvest season. Before October, many peanut producers were expecting an especially productive harvest but uncommon and heavy rains have proven to be the next challenge to hit America's peanut farmers.

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Lawsuit Filed in Nationwide Outbreak of Salmonella in Peanut Butter

(BUSINESS WIRE)--A lawsuit stemming from the national outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium in peanut butter was filed yesterday against the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) in the US District Court, Middle District of Georgia. The complaint was filed on behalf of Vermont residents Gabrielle and Daryl Meunier, whose son was sickened in the outbreak. The minor and his parents are represented by Seattle lawyer William Marler and foodborne illness law firm Marler Clark, and by Patrick Flynn of Flynn, Peeler & Phillips of Albany, GA.

The outbreak, which began in September, has sickened more that 475 people, hospitalized over 90, and contributed to six deaths. The illnesses were first linked to peanut butter on January 9, and later traced to a PCA processing plant in Blakely, GA. Many companies who purchased peanut butter or peanut paste from the plant have begun recalling products. One of the first was Kellogg’s, who recalled Keebler brand peanut butter cracker sandwiches, but it was too late for the Meunier family, whose son consumed the crackers and fell ill on November 25.

The 7-year-old’s symptoms were fever, vomiting, and frequent bouts of diarrhea, which turned bloody. When he did not improve, his family took him to the emergency room, where he was admitted to the hospital. He remained hospitalized until December 4. During that time, he tested positive for what would later be revealed as the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium. He is still recovering from his illness, experiencing recurring diarrhea, painful stomach cramps, and body aches and pains.

“Today (January 20) is a tremendous day in America,” said Marler. “We are inaugurating a President who campaigned on a platform of change, hope, and justice. I sincerely hope that Mr. Obama will be able to effect change in our food safety agencies and policies. In the meantime, hundreds of Americans are ill, and six families are mourning. All of those families have medical bills, some have lost time at work, and we all know what a strain that is. Something has to be done about it.”

Marler, who called for more action from the FDA earlier in the outbreak, also represented many of the compensated victims of the ConAgra peanut butter outbreak of 2007.

“We learned a lot in the last peanut butter outbreak, and it’s sad that we have to put that knowledge to use,” continued Marler. “But what we know is that we have to make sure all possibly contaminated product is promptly recalled, and that the responsible companies step up to pay the medical bills of the victims as well as the cost of government investigations. In addition, the public needs to know what safety precautions the Peanut Corporation of America was taking, especially after the 2007 outbreak. Finally, they need to show the public what will be done to prevent the next outbreak.”

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