Fondant sugar base and meringue mix were obtained from a local Utah candy manufacturer and kept at room temperature until used. Fondant sugar base(404 g) and meringue mix(45 g) were mixed together in a sterile stomacher bag(Seward 400) and microwaved(GE 1000 W, New York, NY) for 30-60s to achieve a temperature greater than 75-80 C. Ingredients were placed into a sterile stainless steel mixer bowl(Kitchen Aid Model K45WSSWH. St Joseph, MI) submerged in a 63 cwater bath to simulate industry processing. A sterile flat beater blade and the slowest speed were used for mixing. Temperature was monitored using an IR ther- mometer(Fisher Model S90202, Atlanta, GA) until the experi- mental starting temperature(65 or 70 C) was achieved. Initially a probe thermometer was used, but the candy adhered to the probe giving falsely colder temperatures. Inoculated 14 days old peanut butter(50 g) held at room temperature was then added and mixed for 1 min, followed by mixing 15s each minute for up to 20 min. Product temperature was recorded throughout the mixing process. After 20 min the peanut butter flavored fondant was allowed to cool and stored at room temperature.