Salmonella Find at Minnesota Facility Leads to Broad Recall
According to the Food and Drug Administration, Plainview Milk Products Cooperative in Plainview, Minn., is voluntarily recalling instant nonfat dried milk, whey protein, fruit stabilizers, and gums (thickening agents) that it has manufactured over the past two years, because they might be contaminated with Salmonella. These products were sold to other industry customers, including distributors and manufacturers, who may have incorporated them into their own products. None of Plainview's products were sold directly to the public.
Plainview has stopped production of these products and has notified its customers of the recall. Currently, the recall is limited to industry customers who received suspect product. This is an ongoing investigation, and FDA will update the public as new information emerges but has said that at this time it is not aware of products being recalled at the consumer level.
"This recall is an appropriate precaution to protect public health," said FDA Associate Commissioner for Foods David W.K. Acheson, M.D. "It reflects the concerted efforts of numerous partners at the local, state, and federal levels."
During an investigation of the Plainview facility, FDA found that some of the equipment was contaminated with Salmonella. At this time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not linked any human illnesses to potentially contaminated products from the site.
FDA became aware of this problem through the Department of Agriculture when it found Salmonella in 100-gram pouches of Dairyshake powder that were not for retail sale. FDA began an investigation as to the source of the contamination. In the course of that investigation, the Plainview facility was identified as a supplier of a key ingredient in the Dairyshake powder, and inspection of the firm uncovered conditions that resulted in the broader recall.
FDA is conducting this investigation in collaboration with USDA, CDC, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and state and local health departments.