“It (the Blakely plant) is one bad actor in the industry that caused the problem, and they’re not that big of an actor in the peanut industry,” Koehler said.

The Peanut Corp. only processes 1 percent of the nation’s peanuts, Koehler said.

Spearman said he believes the peanut industry will be better because of the outbreak.

“I think the industry has been lax in checking quality,” Spearman said.

Koehler agreed. He said in a telephone interview late Wednesday that Gov. Sonny Perdue had asked the Georgia Bureau of investigations to look into the Blakely plant and it was discovered that it would take two months of investigation and, if the plant was found guilty of violations, those charged would face misdemeanor counts and a small fine. Koehler said he was pleased that legislation was already in the works to put teeth into laws that regulate food products.

Koehler said the Georgia Peanut Commission will work closely with the American Peanut Council to first “get past the outbreak and recall” and then “make sure it never happens again.”

Massive advertising campaigns by peanut butter and cracker companies and others who use peanut products is expected, but Koehler said those campaigns shouldn’t begin in full force until the Centers for Disease Control state that the outbreak is over.

“When that day comes, we will move forward to rebuild consumer confidence,” Koehler said.

To contact senior reporter Angie Thompson, call 382-4321.