Dive Summary:
- Sunland, a peanut processor responsible for a widespread outbreak of salmonella earlier this year, has been given permission by the FDA to begin shelling this year's crop of Valencia peanuts.
- On Nov. 22, the FDA had actually taken away Sunland's registration, a move that, under the FSMA, necessitates a complete halt in all production and sales.
- With the help of a Washington D.C. based food safety consultant firm, the company was able to lobby the FDA into allowing them to shell this year's crop, however the company has a long way to go until full production can start again.
From the article:
Sunland President Jimmie Shearer said in addition to resuming peanut shelling, the company will provide additional information to FDA as it takes steps toward eventual re-opening of the main processing plant. Shearer said Sunland has either corrected problems or provided a timetable for correcting those that remain.
Sunland is the largest employer in Roosevelt County, NM, and the shutdown has not been popular in the area. Shearer said permission to resume shelling was “a Christmas gift” as 28 laid off people are that much closer to going back to work.
Environmental sampling inside the Portales peanut plant by FDA inspectors found salmonella in 28 separate locations inside the facility. They also found peanuts exposed to birds and rain, unsanitary equipment and improper product handling.
Sunland is still prohibited under federal consent decree from processing or distributing food until it has complied with all conditions and received written permission from FDA. Shearer told local media he is hopeful all those conditions can be met this week.
