Processing Plants & Peanut Butter

Peanut Sources

• Processing plants get most of their their peanuts from farms in the Southeastern United States, according to Peanut Butter Lovers. These farms harvest their peanuts during September and October. The peanuts travel by wagon to weighing and inspection stations, while the remaining parts of the plant are used on farms as livestock feed.

Production

• Manufacturers roast their peanuts in ovens, cooling them rapidly afterward to halt the roasting process while the peanuts still contain enough oil. Machines remove the peanut skins and hearts, splitting the peanuts into two halves. The peanuts then undergo a two-stage grinding process while being combined with stabilizers, sweeteners and salt.

Potential Problems

• Peanut processing plants must maintain clean, sanitary conditions. A 2009 wave of salmonella poisoning occurred at a plant contaminated by rainwater, according to Scientific American. Because these plants produce other foods as well, people with peanut allergies should check food labels to make sure they face no risk of cross-contamination.