There is bad news today for Blakely, GA.   The town of 5,300, where a majority of the population is Black and incomes run less than half that of the statewide average, is now looking at its Peanut Corporation of America plant ceasing production due to Salmonella contamination.

In an expanded recall notice, the company said:

"PCA is immediately stopping all production at the Blakely, Georgia facility and notifying its customers to recall and retain all affected product produced during these dates at this plant.

"That includes all peanut butter produced on or after August 8, 2008 and peanut paste produced on or after September 26, 2008 at the Georgia facility. The peanut butter being recalled is sold by PCA in bulk packaging in containers ranging in size from five to 1,700 pounds. The peanut paste is sold in sizes ranging from 35 pound containers to tanker containers.

The company on January 13, 2009 previously announced the recall of 21 lots of peanut butter produced on or after July 1, 2008."

Two of PCA’s biggest customers, King Nut and Kellogg’s, have also recalled their products.  According to FDA, the Blakely peanut plant supplies up to 85 companies with products.

For the complete press release from PCA, go here.