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Virginia Department of Agriculture Grapples With Peanut Product Recall

WSLS Channel 10 CBS out of Roanoke, Virginia, reports that peanuts are now safe to eat according to the Virginia Department of Agriculture, who released a press release this week on the subject.

In January, a national rash of salmonella cases across 46 states made over 600 people ill and caused a confirmed six deaths. The salmonella was traced back to a peanut factory in Georgia, where the contamination likely took place. The recall that followed the outbreak is ongoing, with many stores, food banks and organizations pulling defective peanut products and any foods containing peanuts or peanut butter off of their shelves.

With the worst of the salmonella peanut outbreak over, Virginia government officials are now trying to stop any damage that might be done to the peanut industry in Virginia, which is valued at $12 million a year according to the Associated Press.

Peanuts were planted on 24,000 acres last year in Virginia, but this year some are estimating that this number will drop by half. Shelling plants, which are also common in Virginia, are expected to feel the impact of the product defect long into next year. In addition a number of food processors that involve peanut will be affected.

On February 11, the Virginia Department of Agriculture And Consumer Services made an official announcement to the public that Virginia peanut - in and out of shell - were safe for everyone to eat and enjoy.

"Virginia peanuts, because of their superior quality, are generally sold as shelled or in-shell peanuts, and these products are safe to eat," said Department of Agriculture Commissioner Todd Haymore. "They have not been implicated in the recent recall of manufactured products using peanut paste from a single supplier."

The sale of Virginia peanut products - despite their distance from the controversy and food poisoning health concerns - is down 30 percent this month.

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