Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois

Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois say that none of the eight varieties of Girl Scout Cookies are part of the current peanut butter recall. Only Girl Scout Peanut Butter Patties and Girl Scout Peanut Butter Sandwiches contain peanut butter. Girl Scouts launched their annual Cookie Sale on Friday, Jan. 16.

The local Girl Scouts say that their cookie baker, ABC Bakers-Interbake Foods, does not use peanut butter from sources that have been linked to salmonella. While the outbreak has been associated with peanut products produced by Peanut Corp. of America, ABC Bakers-Interbake Foods uses Hampton Farms for peanut butter. Peanut Corp. of America is the only peanut butter manufacturer linked by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to the salmonella contamination.

The FDA’s suggestion that consumers avoid all peanut butter products for the time being reflects the fact that many consumers do not know the source of the peanut butter in the products they consume. However, ABC Bakers-Interbake Foods has issued a statement assuring volunteers, parents, girls and customers of Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois that the peanut butter used in Girl Scout Cookies currently being sold is not linked to salmonella.

The FDA also has audited ABC Bakers-Interbake Foods’ peanut butter supplier, Hampton Farms, in the past week and the audit revealed no issues. Samples taken showed no contamination and the records supported Hampton Farms’ reports that they have not shipped to and have not received peanut butter from Peanut Corp. of America.

Consumers who still have concerns may freeze or refrigerate peanut butter cookies they purchase until the FDA has definitely identified the specific products to be avoided. That effort should be completed soon, at which time consumers can enjoy the Girl Scouts’ two popular varieties of peanut butter cookies.

Girl Scouts will continue going door to door selling Girl Scout Cookies until Sunday, Feb. 1 and cookie booths will be set up in public areas during March and April for additional cookie sales.

Girl Scout Cookies have long been a major fund-raiser for girls and their troops across the region, and is an integral part of Girl Scouting’s business and economic literacy initiative for girls ages 5-17. The program provides finance, marketing and public speaking skills as well as valuable experiences that develop girls’ personal leadership style.

Through the Girl Scout Cookie Sale Program, girls manage inventory, set goals, learn money management and develop marketing skills. For more information on Girl Scout Cookies, check the Web at www.GSEIWI.org or call Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois at 800-798-0833.

# posted by Chuck Gysi @ 12:20 PM