The now-bankrupt Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) inadvertently set off the largest food recall in United States history when it shipped peanut base products to food manufacturers in spite of repeated tests indicating evidence of salmonella colonization.  The resulting outbreak of illness began in September 2008 but even now, six months later, the outbreak remains on-going, the peanut recall is still in effect, and industry experts say the price tag for the recall may climb as high as $1 billion before the peanut industry can rebuild.

Don Koehler, executive director of the Georgia Peanut Commission, where problems with PCA first began, describes the outbreak / recall as “a situation of historic proportions” and says the peanut industry has little hope of rebuilding until both the outbreak is over and the recall is ended.  Even though the recall has garnered much media attention in recent months, people are still getting sick from eating peanut butter crackers on the recall list, which includes 3,235 individual products.

Koehler gave testimony today to the US House of Representatives’ small business committee to address the economic losses suffered by the food manufacturers who relied on PCA to deliver a safe product.  He said losses will continue to mount until the outbreak ends.

A similar House Energy and Commerce Committee is scheduled for Wednesday to also address the repercussions of the peanut recall.  The outbreak has strengthened calls from several sources to revamp the role the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plays in food safety matters.  The small business committee, the energy and commerce committee, and several others are currently evaluating the most effective ways to refocus the FDA’s mission and improve safety standards within the nation’s food supply.

Thus far, 683 people in 46 states have become ill with salmonella infection after eating products made from ingredients distributed by PCA, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.