Update: February 3rd -

The widget below is the current stream of products affected by this recall, straight from the FDA.

(Updated from initial posting on January 19)

January 23, 2009: A combination of epidemiological analysis and laboratory testing by state officials in Minnesota and Connecticut, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have enabled FDA to confirm that the sources of the outbreak of illnesses caused by Salmonella Typhimurium are peanut butter and peanut paste produced by the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) at its Blakely, Georgia processing plant.

Peanut butter is sold by PCA in bulk containers ranging in size from five (5) to 1,700 pounds. The peanut paste is sold in sizes ranging from 35-pound containers to product sold by the tanker container. Neither of these products is sold directly to consumers.

However, through its investigation, FDA has determined that PCA distributed potentially contaminated product to more than 70 consignee firms, for use as an ingredient in hundreds of different products, such as cookies, crackers, cereal, candy and ice cream. Companies all over the country that received product from PCA have issued voluntary recalls of their products. FDA has created a searchable database for recalled products. Identification of products subject to recall is continuing and this list is updated frequently.

Product recalls now include some pet food products that contain peanut paste that was made by PCA. While the risk of animals contracting salmonellosis is minimal, there is risk to humans from handling these products. It is important for people to wash their hands--and make sure children wash their hands--before and, especially, after feeding treats to pets. Further information for consumers is located in the Frequently Asked Questions section located on this web site. The pet food products are also included in the searchable data base of recalled products.

Major national brands of jarred peanut butter found in grocery stores are not affected by the PCA recall.

FDA and CDC recommendations for consumers include:

Do not eat products that have been recalled and throw them away in a manner that prevents others from eating them.
To determine if commercially-prepared or manufactured peanut butter/peanut paste-containing products (such as cookies, crackers, cereal, candy and ice cream) are subject to recall, consumers are urged first to visit FDA’s website and check the searchable database of recalled products.
For information on products containing peanut butter from companies not reporting recalls, consumers may wish to consult the company’s website or call the toll-free number listed on most packaging. Information consumers may receive from the companies has not been verified by the FDA.
If consumers cannot determine if their peanut butter, peanut butter/peanut paste-containing products or institutionally-served peanut butter contains PCA peanut butter/peanut paste, FDA recommends that they do not consume those products.
Persons who think they may have become ill from eating peanut butter are advised to consult their health care providers.

Research and development in genetic modification of plants and animals has stirred up great controversy around the world. Proponents of having genetically modified organisms in our food supply chain claim that advantages achieved are safe and could end the many hunger crises around the world. Critics, on the other hand, believe GMOs could lead to human health and ecological disasters of great proportions.

There is a diverse range in which scientists are modifying organisms, from pesticide, drought and frost-resistant fruits and vegetables to changing animal growth rates and nutrient content. No GMO animals are permitted by the USDA to be sold as food in the U.S. today, however, significant percentages of genetically modified food grains are being consumed daily - most often unlabeled and consumed unknowingly.

According to the Center for Food Safety, "The haphazard and negligent agency regulation of biotechnology has been a disaster for consumers and the environment. Unsuspecting consumers by the tens of millions are being allowed to purchase and consume unlabeled genetically engineered foods, despite a finding by FDA scientists that these foods could pose serious risks."

At The Markets, we value full disclosure of labeling information and want to make sure that customer health and safety is our first priority. We are actively researching what we can do, as a retailer, to urge more responsible government oversight on this issue. Furthermore, we want to know how you, as our valued customer, feel about the safety of having genetically modified foods in our food supply.

 Despite being in the thick of winter, there are still a variety locally grown produce items available. Check out Charlie's local produce update for the details.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently completed a study of those under the age of 17 and discovered that one in every 200 surveyed considered themselves vegetarian.  This is a larger-than-expected finding.

In this study, vegetarian was defined as no red or white meat.  (there are further iterations of vegetarian, such as no eggs or cheese).  In a conclusion that seems to be supported by other studies, the CDC  offered that kids seem to becoming more aware of all issues environmental.  The reason most gave for eating vegetarian was  concerns about animal welfare.

With two vegetarian children in tow, one of whom just doesn't like the taste of meat, it is a home cook's dailly challenge to ensure that enough protein is available from other sources each day (rice and beans, etc.). 

Do your kids eat vegetarian?  What is their reasoning?  How do you make sure they are getting all the nutrients they need?  Finally, got a favorite recipe to share?  Once the Food Maven discovered the wonders of spaghetti squash as a base, life got a whole lot simpler!

The new Market At Birch Bay is going through the permit process.  With final permits on the horizon, the store will complete its remodel, with a planned grand opening for April. 

The 25,000 square foot store, the largest occupant at Birch Bay Square (corner of I-5 and Birch Bay-Lynden Road) in Whatcom County, has taken a little longer than planned.  The building was originally designed for several smaller stores, so combining it into one servicable space for a new supermarket has required more design work.  Residents of Birch Bay have been looking forward to a grocery store in their neighborhood for several years.  The new Market will have many exciting features, many of which are unique to this area.

Watch this space for more information and details about the new Market.

So we've been through wind, snow, sleet, rain, hail, more snow, more rain...does this tempestuous weather make you crave any particular kind of food? 

For some people, it's a rich and creamy hot chocolate, coupled with a shortbread cookie and thoughts of being warm.  For others, when the skies turn grey or white, it's time for soup-making.

There's something therapeutic about preparing the stock with chopped up onions and celery as a base, or maybe a ham bone or cut-up chicken. Adding the essence, be it noodles or rice or beans, and then all the extras that flavor it up, can turn a gloomy day into a soothing respite from the weather.  Scour your cupboards and clean them out, in essence, by adding things like diced tomatoes or canned corn to your soup stock.  Best of all, you only need to add some carbs in the form of biscuits, bread or even crackers, to put an old-fashioned, but completely current, meal on the table.  Even better than best of all, soup usually lasts for a few meals, and can be frozen and reheated.  What can be better than soup to complement our Northwest weather? Do you have a favorite soup recipe to share?