Plant in Blakely, Georgia Suspected of Producing Salmonella Contaminated Peanut Butter

A peanut processing plant in Blakely, Georgia owned by The Peanut Corporation of America of Lynchburg, Va., is now the prime site under suspicion for having produced salmonella contaminated peanut butter. According to health inspection reports obtained by the New York Times from Georgia officials that indicate that the plant "has a history of sanitation lapses and was cited repeatedly in 2006 and 2007 for having dirty surfaces and grease residue and dirt buildup throughout the plant, according to health inspection reports. Inspection reports from 2008 found the plant repeatedly in violation of cleanliness standards."

The Times further reports that: "Inspections of the plant in Blakely, Ga., by the State Agriculture Department of Georgia found areas of rust that could flake into food, gaps in warehouse doors large enough for rodents to get through, unmarked spray bottles and containers and numerous violations of other practices designed to prevent food contamination."

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports: "The plant has shut down and laid off most of its workers."

The Constitution adds that: "The salmonella outbreak has sickened 501 people in 43 states, and may be linked to eight deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."

The New York Times, reporting on the Blakely, Georgia peanut plant, from details provided from inspection reports prepared by Georgia officials adds: "A typical entry from an inspection report, dated Aug. 23, 2007, said: “The food-contact surfaces of re-work kettle in the butter room department were not properly cleaned and sanitized.” Additional entries noted: “The food-contact surfaces of the bulk oil roast transfer belt ... were not properly cleaned and sanitized. The food-contact surfaces of pan without wheels in the blanching department were not properly cleaned and sanitized.”

The Times cites other violations of code obtained from inspectors that: "clean peanut butter buckets (were) stored uncovered," and a "wiping cloth" served to “cover crack on surge bin.”

The times adds that: "Two inspection reports from 2008 found the plant out of compliance with practices for making sure" and Georgia officials added that “food and non-food contact surfaces were cleanable, properly designed, constructed and used.”

Under a "contractual agreement" the Georgia Agriculture Department conducts the inspections as a representative for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.