Peter Pan Peanut Butter: Did FDA Know About Peanut Butter Problems?

A recent Washington Post article has claimed that the FDA knew of problems at the Sylvester, Georgia Peter Pan peanut butter plant five years before the nationwide salmonella outbreak that prompted a peanut butter recall.

Report: FDA knew peanut butter plant had problems

During a 2004 investigation, ConAgra apparently admitted to destroying a significant amount of product, but would not say why. However, according to USA today, a food safety spokesman said that "if inspectors had seen anything truly dangerous, the FDA would have taken more action. He said the FDA can't force a disclosure, recall or closure except in extreme cases, such as finding a hazardous batch of product."