Why Do I Crave Peanut Brittle?

Peanut brittle is sorta like the economy, I guess. Out of site: out of mind. Although I like peanut brittle well enough normally, I haven’t really craved it until the emergence of the great peanut recalls of 2009.  I subscribe to Google notifications on various topics, and get every single food recall article by email daily, simply because my notification term is “pet food recalls.”  This time, Chinese importers are off the hook; the culprits are right here in the U. S. of A.  It’s no laughing matter; the lasted toll counts over 500 ill people and at least eight deaths.  The director of FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition is calling it “one of the largest recalls we’ve had,” according to MSNBC.

There’s also a questionable nexus here, with Stewart Parnell, President of US Peanut Corp also being a member of the  USDA Peanut Standard board since 2005. Parnell’s company, in case you haven’t kept abreast, is the processor of all those peanuts responsible for the salmonella outbreaks.

Last week, I regretfully threw away the last two packets of Keebler Peanut Butter Crackers, having scarfed them regularly each night with my pre-dinner cocktail. I didn’t discard the jars of Jif and Skippy  peanut butter, though, as they have thus far been deemed “safe” by the FDA.  Along with peanut brittle, I’ve suddenly been craving tender-crisp peanut butter cookies.  I wonder if  whole peanuts have been recalled?  Time to head over to the FDA list.  Holy Moley!  The list is endless.