Officials: Salmonella outbreak linked to 2 brands of peanut butter
Pastor Dale Morgan
Officials: Salmonella outbreak linked to 2 brands of peanut butter*
Updated 2/15/2007 8:55 AM ET
For the first time in U.S. history, salmonella has been linked to peanut
butter, according to the CDC.
ATLANTA (AP) — A salmonella outbreak that has slowly grown to nearly 300
cases in 39 states since August has been linked to tainted peanut
butter, federal health officials said Wednesday.
It is believed to be the first salmonella outbreak associated with
peanut butter in U.S. history, said officials with the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention.
ON DEADLINE: Information from the FDA, ConAgra
About 20% of the 288 infected people have been hospitalized, but none
has died, said Dr. Mike Lynch, a CDC epidemiologist.
About 85% of the infected people said they ate peanut butter, CDC
officials said.
How salmonella got into peanut butter is still under investigation,
Lynch said.
The Food and Drug Administration warned consumers not to eat certain
jars of Peter Pan or Great Value peanut butter because of the risk of
contamination.
The affected jars have a product code on the lid that begins with the
number "2111." The affected jars are made by ConAgra in a single
facility in Sylvester, Ga., the FDA said.
Great Value peanut butter made by other manufacturers is not affected,
the agency said.
ConAgra said it is recalling all Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter
beginning with product code 2111.
"Although none of our extensive product tests have indicated the
presence of salmonella, we are taking this precautionary measure because
consumer health and safety is out top priority," spokesman Chris Kircher
said. "We are working closely with the FDA to better understand its
concerns, and we will take whatever additional measures are needed to
ensure the safety, quality and wholesomeness of our products."
The largest number of salmonella cases were reported in New York,
Pennsylvania, Virginia, Tennessee and Missouri.
Salmonella infection is known each year to sicken about 40,000 people in
the United States, according to the CDC. Salmonellosis, as the infection
is known, kills about 600 people annually.
Symptoms of salmonella can include diarrhea, fever, dehydration,
abdominal pain and vomiting.
The new outbreak began in August, but just two or fewer cases have been
reported each day, CDC officials said.
It was only in the past few days that investigators were able to hone in
on a particular food, Lynch said.
ConAgra is destroying all affected products the company still has, the
FDA said.
The company will cease production until the exact cause of contamination
can be identified and eliminated. Meanwhile, ConAgra advised consumers
to destroy any Peter Pan and Great Value brand peanut butter beginning
with product code 2111.
The FDA sent investigators to ConAgra's processing plant in Sylvester
where the products were made to review records, collect product samples
and conduct tests for salmonella.