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Peanut Butter Recall

What Foods Have Been Contaminated by Peanut Products

Feb 4, 2009 Dana Herrera

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a major recall on peanut butter products. Learn what foods you should avoid.

Recently, FEMA announced that food kits sent to places such as Arkansas and Kansas for disaster relief may contain contaminated peanut butter [CNN, February 4, 2009]. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a public health warning on all peanut butter and products containing peanut butter distributed by the Peanut Butter Corporation of America and specifically, the factory in Blakely, Georgia.

The peanut butter is said to be infected with salmonella and may have killed eight people and made sick over five hundred others. Products affected by this recall seem to be growing with each passing day. This latest announcement of FEMA food kits is just one of many products. Consumers are being urged to avoid any products containing peanut butter and to throw away any packets or jars of peanut butter in their food kits or their pantries.

Food Poisoning Linked to Salmonella Contaminated Peanut Butter

In January, reports of food poisoning began to surface in Midwest states, such as Illinois. As more and more consumers became ill - the FDA traced the link to salmonella infected peanut butter. After further reports of illness and even suspected salmonella death began to surface, the infected peanut butter, distributed by the Peanut Butter Corporation of America, was found to originate from one source, a peanut butter plant in Blakely, Georgia.

Reports have surfaced that the plant had violated inspection codes and had sent salmonella infected peanut butter out to the public on previous occasions. A thorough look inside the plant showed mold infested walls and machinery.

What Peanut Butter Products to Avoid

The FDA has set up a database for consumers to search products listed in this national peanut butter recall. While most jarred peanut butter sold at grocery store outlets are not part of the recall, the FDA and the Center of Disease Control is encouraging consumers to check the list for other common household products including:

Cake Mixes
Pet Foods
Ice Creams
Certain Frozen Meals
Snack Bars/Snack Mixes
Toppings

Visit the FDA database to see which brands have been affected by the recall.

Signs of Salmonella Poisoning

If you believe you have ingested a recalled product it is important to seek medical attention right away. The following are the signs of salmonella poisoning:

Diarrhea
Headaches
Stomach Cramps
Nausea and Vomiting
Fever

If symptoms come on suddenly or worsen go to the emergency room. Salmonella poisoning can be lethal particularly in the very young and the very old.

Staying Safe from Salmonella

Though the recall continues to grow, you can lower your risk of salmonella poisoning by avoiding the recalled peanut butter products and following safe cleaning habits when handling high risk food products, such as dairy products, poultry and meats.

The copyright of the article Peanut Butter Recall in Health Field is owned by Dana Herrera. Permission to republish Peanut Butter Recall in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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