Peanut Butter and Peanut Paste Product Recall

Peanut butter product recall-the latest food recall to affect the United States. After investigation of a salmonella outbreak in 43 states, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that peanut butter and peanut butter products from the manufacturing plant of Peanut Corp. of America, located in Blakely, Georgia is responsible for the tainted food.

Approximately 125 different food products, ranging from ice cream to crackers to pet treats have been recalled due to the danger of contamination with salmonella.

Symptoms of illness caused by salmonella include "lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and bloody diarrhea" (USA Today).

The contaminated pet treats are not thought to hold much danger to the pets themselves as to the persons who handle the treats because the salmonella, if present, could be transferred to their hand(s).

At this time, the FDA considers the Blakely plant of the Lynchburg, Virginia based Peanut Corp. of America as the sole source of the outbreak. The Connecticut Department of Health found the same strain of salmonella as had been identified in the outbreak in a tub of peanut butter from the Blakely Plant.

While Peanut Corp. of America is a small, family-owned business, it sold its products to 32 manufacturers, most of which have issued recalls for their products.

For the latest list of product recalls, visit this FDA.gov site

This link will take you to the Center for Disease Control's website for more information about the salmonella outbreak and signs/symptoms of illness.

The American Peanut Council has put together a list of products not affected by the outbreak or salmonella contamination at their website.

Resources:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2009-01-21-fda_N.htm

http://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/stories/2009/01/19/daily47.html

http://www.newsday.com/iphone/ny-lisalm226007760jan22,0,3959495.story