peanut product recall

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Which Peanut Products Pose a Salmonella Risk? 500 People Sick, 8 Dead, 125 Products Recalled

February 3, 2009 in Health Hazards, Organic Food, Uncategorized by susan | 3 comments

By Susan Seliger

Peanut butter and peanuts – they’re one of the best, cheapest, most nutritious sources of protein in the American diet. But are they safe?

If you’ve been reading the headlines about the recent salmonella alert for peanut products, you’ve heard the stats: over 500 people have become ill; 8 are dead; more than 125 peanut products have been recalled. The Food and Drug Administration has launched the largest food recall in recent history — and is now pursuing a criminal investigation.

But if you’ve been too scared to read past the headlines, you may be asking yourself what’s really dangerous and what isn’t? Do I have to throw out my jars of peanut butter? What can my family and I eat — and what should we steer clear of?

Here’s what you need to know to keep yourself and your family safe and healthy. Take heart — if you’ve been sticking to organic peanut products, you are probably safe.

WHICH PEANUT PRODUCTS ARE SAFE

Your small jars of peanut butter should be safe — the source of the original salmonella contamination, according to state and federal officials, is peanut butter and peanut paste products made by the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) at its processing plant in Blakely, Georgia.

PCA’s peanut butter is sold only in bulk to institutions – in containers from 35 to 1,700 pounds .

WHAT’S NOT SAFE

BUT – and this is the big but – PCA sold it’s tainted peanut paste and peanut butter to over 100 firms who use it in products including

  • candy
  • cereal
  • crackers
  • cookies and
  • ice cream.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has called for over 125 products to be recalled. In addition, several well-known companies have voluntarily issued a hold or recall on some of its products – including Kellogg’s, General Mills, Kroger Co., PetSMart, and Clif Bar & Co.

NutriSystem Inc., also announced a voluntary recall of its peanut butter granola bars because the product contains peanut butter supplied by the Peanut Corporation of America.

WHAT ARE SALMONELLA SYMPTOMS?

Look for fever, diarrhea and abdominal cramps 12-72 hours after ingestion of tainted foods. The illness can last 4 to 7 days.

Remember, most people can recover without treatment and without life-threatening problems. However, infants, elderly people and those with impaired immune systems can develop a severe infection that can spread throughout the body and even result in death.

If in doubt, consult a doctor. Prompt treatment with antibiotics is required to treat the illness.

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