FDA suspends operations at peanut butter plant

In the wake of a salmonella outbreak, the federal government is suspending operations at the nation's largest organic peanut butter processing plant.

FDA inspectors shut down the Sunland company's plant in New Mexico after finding salmonella throughout the facility.

More than 40 people in 20 states, most of them children, have gotten sick from tainted peanut butter traced to this plant.  

“All of the illnesses that have been investigated are related to the peanut butter products that are from the one plant,” said Robert Tauxe of the CDC.

Hundreds of peanut products have been recalled since the salmonella outbreak began back in September.

Sunland Inc. is seeking a hearing from the FDA to request that they inspect the completed corrective actions at their facilities.