Food Manufacturer Agrees to Safety and Health Improvements

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and J&J Snackfoods have reached a region-wide settlement agreement to improve workplace safety and health at the company’s eight food manufacturing and warehouse facilities throughout New Jersey and New York. Under the settlement, the Pennsauken, New Jersey-based company agreed to pay a $152,934 penalty.

OSHA cited the company in September 2018 after inspectors determined that the company exposed employees to serious machine hazards. OSHA issued willful and repeat citations for failing to train employees and utilize procedures to control hazardous energy when they perform servicing and maintenance work on machinery.

"This settlement shows the Department’s enforcement efforts leading to positive changes on important safety issues," said Regional Solicitor Jeffrey S. Rogoff, in New York. "A repeat violator with a history of safety problems related to machine hazards took responsibility and is improving those conditions across the region, beyond the violations identified by a single inspection at a single facility."

In addition to the penalty, J&J Snackfoods agreed to hire a full-time corporate safety director to manage and coordinate safety and health across all facilities, and a full-time site-safety manager to coordinate safety and health onsite at the facility. The company will also hire a qualified safety and health professional as an outside consultant to conduct two comprehensive safety and health inspections per year and implement a written safety and health program consistent with OSHA’s best practices guidelines. J&J Snackfoods will also provide employees with safety and health training in a language they understand and establish a safety and health committee comprised of employees, union representatives and managers to recommend further safety and health improvements.

"This settlement reflects a commitment to comply with required standards and ensure that employees are protected from hazards that pose a risk for injuries," said OSHA’s New York Acting Regional Administrator Richard Mendelson.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to help ensure these conditions for American working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Bredeney Infections Linked to Peanut Butter Manufactured By Sunland, Inc.

Recall

On October 4, 2012, Sunland Inc. expanded its ongoing recall  [PDF - 10 pages] to include all products made in the Sunland nut butter production facility between March 1, 2010 and September 24, 2012.  The company reports that it is adding 139 products to the recall, bringing the total number of products being recalled by Sunland Inc. to 240.

The expanded recall covers all previously identified Peanut Butter, Almond Butter, Cashew Butter, and Tahini products as well as Roasted Blanched Peanut Products. New product categories being added to the list are several varieties of flavored butters and spreads, including Thai Ginger Butter, Chocolate Butter and Banana Butter.

On September 24, 2012, Sunland, Inc. announced a voluntary recall of its peanut butter and other products containing nuts and seeds, manufactured between May 1, 2012 and September 24, 2012, because these products may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The recalled products manufactured by Sunland, Inc.  [PDF- 5 pages] were distributed nationally to numerous large supermarket chains. The recall applies to the products with Best-If-Used-By dates between May 1, 2013 and September 24, 2013. This date is stamped on the side of the jars’ labels below the lid.

On September 22, 2012, Trader Joe’s voluntarily recalled its Creamy Salted Valencia Peanut Butterbecause of potential contamination with Salmonella and urged consumers to not eat the product. In advance of this recall, Trader Joe’s removed the product from all store shelves.

The recalled Creamy Salted Valencia Peanut Butter was distributed to Trader Joe’s stores nationwide. The product comes in a 16-ounce plastic jar. All code dates are included in this recall, up to an including July 26, 2013 (26JUL13). The peanut butter is labeled Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Peanut Butter made with Sea Salt.

Customers who have purchased this item are urged to not eat the product, and to dispose of it or return it to any Trader Joe’s location for a full refund. 

Advice to Consumers, Retailers, and Others

Contaminated peanut butter and other products containing nuts and seeds   [PDF - 5 pages] may make people sick.

• Based on available information, CDC recommends that consumers do not eat recalled peanut butter and other products containing nuts and seeds and dispose of any remaining jars of these products in the home or return the jars to the place of purchase.
  • This is especially important for children under the age of 5 years, older adults, and people with weak immune systems.
• Persons who think they might have become ill from eating possibly contaminated peanut butter or other products containing nuts and seeds should consult their health care providers.
  • Symptoms include:
    • Diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection.
    • The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most persons recover without treatment.
    • See Signs and Symptoms for more information.

Contaminated peanut butter and other products containing nuts and seeds may still be in consumers' homes or available for sale on the internet.

• Consumers who recently purchased recalled peanut butter or other products containing nuts and seeds are advised not to eat them and dispose of any remaining jars of these products or return the jars to the place of purchase. 
• Retailers and food service operators should not sell or serve recalled peanut butter and other products containing nuts and seeds.
• Some of these products may still be available for sale from internet retailers.

What to do if you have Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter in your home:

• Dispose of the product immediately or return it to the place of purchase.
• Even if some of the peanut butter or other products containing nuts and seeds have been eaten without anyone becoming ill, the rest of the jar should be disposed of or returned.
• If consumers choose to discard recalled peanut butter or other products containing nuts and seeds, the product should be disposed of in a closed plastic bag and placed in a sealed trash can. This will prevent people or animals from eating it.
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For over 3 decades the Law Offices of Jon L. Gelman1.973.696.7900 jon@gelmans.com have been representing injured workers and their families who have suffered work related accident and injuries.

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