Kellogg Pulls Peanut Butter Crackers

BATTLE CREEK — Kellogg Co. has put a hold on its Austin and Keebler brand Toasted Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Crackers, Cheese and Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, and Peanut Butter-Chocolate Sandwich Crackers.

Kellogg said the move is a precautionary measure in light of Peanut Corporation of America’s Jan. 13 voluntary recall of peanut butter produced in its Blakely, Ga., processing facility because it has the potential to be contaminated with salmonella.

Lynchburg, Va.-based PCA, a peanut processing company, is one of several peanut paste suppliers that Kellogg uses in its Austin- and Keebler-branded peanut butter sandwich crackers.

Kellogg said its investigation has not indicated any concerns, nor has the company received any consumer illness complaints about these products.

"Consumer health and safety is our top priority," said Kellogg President and Chief Executive Officer David Mackay, in a statement. "We are taking these voluntary actions out of an abundance of caution."

Kellogg is removing product from retail store shelves, and encouraging customers and consumers to hold and not eat these products until regulatory officials complete their investigation of PCA.

The peanut butter being recalled is sold by PCA in bulk packaging to distributors for institutional and foodservice industry use. It is also sold under the brand name Parnell’s Pride to those same industries. Additionally, it is sold by the King Nut Co. under the label King Nut.

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