Local Peanut Butter Brand Opens Doors To NBC 4

COLUMBUS, Ohio —The global concern over salmonella and peanut butter products continues as health officials said the number of people affected in the outbreak has grown to 485 cases.

While the FDA linked the strain to a plant in Georgia, local customers are asking questions.

NBC 4‘s Marcus Thorpe gained access Wednesday to a company that said it is working hard to do things the right way. Krema Nut Company opened its doors to demonstrate how safeguards and hard work keeps their product safe for consumers.

Although the Columbus-based company has nothing to do with the recent peanut butter recalls, they still get questions, but officials said they don’t mind it.

“A smart consumer is a happy and safe consumer,“ said Brian Giunta, Senior V.P. of Krema Nut Company.

Quality control at Krema starts from the ground floor, keeping things in line for the business that has been in operation since the late 1800s.

“We maintain things very well, always cleaning, taking things apart, spot-free sterilized. That’s why it’s lasted so long,“ Giunta said.

Officials said that being a smaller company helps safety control.

“People fatigued in their job, they do the same thing day-in and day-out in an environment like that would be challenging. Something might get missed,“ Guinta said.

The hope for Krema is that the source of the salmonella is found, the situation is cleared up and everyone feels good about their purchases.

“I hope they look down the aisle and say, ‘This is Krema. It’s an OK brand. They’re good,‘“ Giunta said.

Krema Nut Company brand nuts and peanut butters are not included in any recalls and are safe to eat.

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