February 20, 2009

 In response to the recent salmonella outbreaks found in certain, not all, peanut butter,

ATKINSON COMPANY is releasing the following official statement regarding the use of peanuts and peanut butter products in our candies:

 Atkinson Candy Company does not purchase peanuts, peanut butter paste or any other ingredients or supplies from Peanut Corporation of America.  We have never purchased anything from Peanut Corporation of America.   We have never purchased anything from the other named companies in the recent salmonella outbreak or peanut butter recall.

 We purchase our peanuts and peanut flavoring from Golden Peanuts and Van Tone, respectively.

 We make our own peanut butter at our facility here in Lufkin, Texas.  We roast our fresh peanuts at a temperature of 290 degrees.  Salmonella is destroyed at a temperature of 165 degrees.  Therefore, any salmonella micro-organisms would be destroyed in our roasting process.

 We are not affected by the recent salmonella outbreak and peanut butter recall in any way.  We are listed as a “safe” company on the American Peanut Council website at www.peanutsusa.com/USA/Index.cfm in the section entitled “Brands Not Affected by FDA Recall”. 

 We are listed as a “safe” company on the National Confectioners Association website at http://www.ecandy.com/.

 You may also visit the FDA website and search for products and brands that have been recalled.  None of Atkinson Candy Company’s products or brands appear on the FDA Recall List.  http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/peanutbutterrecall/index.cfm

 We assure you that all of our products are entirely safe for consumption and contain no salmonella or any other food born bacteria. 

 Please continue to enjoy our fine quality products.  Thank you for your business.

 Sincerely,

Eric Atkinson, President

ATKINSON CANDY COMPANY