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The federal government appears to be moving toward criminal charges against ConAgra Foods Inc., the manufacturer of the salmonella-tainted Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter that sickened at least 425 consumers in 44 states -- including Wisconsin -- about eight years ago.

The tainted peanut butter caused a nationwide salmonella Tennessee outbreak starting in late 2006 and early 2007.

ConAgra recalled the contaminated Peter Pan and Great Value (Walmart brand) peanut butter in February 2007. ConAgra later said jars were contaminated with moisture from a roof leak mixed with dormant salmonella bacteria in peanuts at the Sylvester, Georgia, plant where it was made from August 2006 to January 2007.

Federal inspectors confirmed the leaky roof and also found roaches, mold and other sanitation problems during an inspection at the plant.

Food Safety News reports today that a trial attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice's Consumer Protection Branch sent letters dated Aug. 20, 2014, to consumers who purchased the contaminated peanut butter.

"You are receiving this notice because the government has reason to believe that you may have been the victim of a crime related to an outbreak of salmonella infections caused by contaminated peanut butter in 2006-2007," Alan Phelps of the DOJ wrote, according to Food Safety News.

Crime victims have the right to be notified of court proceedings for pleas or sentencing. Notices of proceedings in the Peter Pan/Great Value case will be posted on a special website.

ConAgra also disclosed in annual filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission that the company would likely be charged with a federal criminal misdemeanor for the peanut butter incident, according to Food Safety News.

"We are pursuing a negotiated resolution, which we believe will likely involve a misdemeanor criminal disposition under the Food, Drug & Cosmetics Act," the company states in its 2014 10-K filing.

The company set aside $25 million in connection with the recall in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 and another $6.7 million in fiscal year 2014.

Nobody died during the outbreak, but 20 people were hospitalized.

Salmonella is an ongoing concern related to peanut butter.

The Peanut Corporation of America made a separate recall of peanut butter due to salmonella in 2008. The ensuing outbreak sickened 700 people and killed nine. That case is on trial on felony charges. The recall caused a ripple effect leading to several hundred companies recalling almost 4,000 products.

Less than two weeks ago, nSpired Natural Foods recalled peanut butter and almond butter for salmonella concerns. The butters were sold under the brands MaraNatha, Arrowhead Mills, Whole Foods 365, Trader Joe's, Safeway and Kroger.

Want more recalls, consumer news, viral stories and occasional freebies? Follow Gitte Laasby on Twitter @GitteLaasbyMJS or like her Facebook page.