The Food and Drug Administration has reported that Heavenly Candy Company, Tigard, OR, is voluntarily recalling all of its bulk "Peanut Bliss" candy sold nationwide on or prior to 2/14/09 because it may contain peanuts that have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The company's Heavenly Toffee is not involved in the recall.

Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

No known illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this product, according to the FDA.

The potential for contamination was noted when a nationwide recall was announced by the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA)'s Plainview, Texas plant, one of the peanut suppliers for "Peanut Bliss".

The recalled "Peanut Bliss" was distributed in retail Whole Food stores nationwide, in retail Market of Choice stores in Oregon, and in Full O'Life Natural Foods Markets in Burbank, California.

The product comes in either a clear plastic tub or clear plastic bag of variable weights packaged by the store or in bulk scoop bins. All recalled product was sold on or before 2/14/09. The product is labeled "Peanut Bliss" or "Heavenly Candy's Peanut Bliss". Some of the Whole Foods bulk scoop bins may contain the PLU #9157. There are no UPC codes on the labels.

Consumers who have any of these items at home are encouraged to dispose of these items or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund, according to the FDA. For consumers who have additional questions, they can contact the company at 1-503-524-5702 M-F 8:00-5:00 PST.

For more information on Salmonella, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Website atwww.cdc.gov