Sunland, a producer of nuts, and nut and seed spreads, has resumed production at its facility in New Mexico. The company's natural and organic butters are expected to be back on shelves within a month.
Sunland vice president Katalin Coburn was quoted by the Associated Press as saying that the company has received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to resume peanut butter operations at its factory in Portales.
Currently, the facility is in a test phase of production, Coburn said.
The company expects to be back in full production in the next few days.
The FDA had suspended the operations of Sunland in late September after its products were linked to 41 illness cases in 20 states, most of which were associated with the consumption of natural peanut butter the company made for Trader Joe's.
Sunland processes Valencia peanuts for natural butters because it is flavorful without additives. The company manufacturers peanut butter for retailers such as Costco, Kroger and Trader Joe's as well as under its own brand.
