ATLANTA — Shoppers are leaving jarred peanut butter off their grocery lists, according to sales figures, even though familiar brands have not been affected by the salmonella outbreak that has sickened hundreds and led to one of the largest product recalls in U.S. history.
To fight the sales slump, the makers of Jif and Peter Pan have countered with a costly advertising campaign aimed at reassuring nervous eaters.
Jarred-peanut-butter sales during the four weeks that ended Jan. 24 dropped 22 percent from the same period the previous year, according to the Nielsen Co., which tracks consumer purchases. The 33.8 million pounds sold exclude Wal-Mart stores.
On Monday, the FBI raided the Peanut Corp.’s plant in Blakely, Ga., hauling off boxes and other material. Agents executed search warrants at the plant and at company headquarters in Lynchburg, Va., according to a senior congressional aide with knowledge of the raids.
