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    Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.

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  • Feb. 17, 2009

    Spreading the word — The peanut butter recall

    By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.

11 comments posted

For the past several weeks, my e-mail inbox has been filled with dozens of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalls for hundreds of peanut butter and peanut-containing products. Maybe you've been flooded with information — and misinformation — about the peanut butter recall as well. Here are the key points you should know — and share with others — about the peanut butter recall.

  • This outbreak is serious. Salmonella infection can cause diarrhea (sometimes bloody), vomiting and fever within 12 to 72 hours of exposure. Illness can last 4 to 7 days and be mild to severe. It can spread from the intestines to the bloodsteam and cause death unless treated. To date, over 550 cases have been reported, resulting in more than 100 hospitalizations and possibly 8 deaths.
  • It's far reaching. Although the contamination appears isolated to the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA), its products are widely distributed. In fact, the FDA is working with over 1,000 companies that bought ingredients from this facility. As of last week, over 1,500 different food items (including pet food) containing tainted ingredients have been recalled. These ingredients include peanut butter, peanut paste, peanut meal, peanut granules, dry and oil roasted nuts. They're used in commercially produced cakes, cookies, crackers, snack bars, candies, cereals and ice cream.
  • Removing tainted products takes time. The recall extends to products produced as far back as January 1, 2007. Fortunately, large food companies seem to be on board with the recall. But just think of all of the places peanut products could be — from small neighborhood stores to your own kitchen cabinets. It may take time for all of the tainted products to be identified and removed.
  • Major brands are not included. FDA says that the major brands of peanut butter that you see on grocery store shelves are not affected (Skippy, Peter Pan, etc). However, it warns that peanut butter made from peanuts ground in stores may be affected.
  • When in doubt, find out. FDA also cautions that you not eat peanut butter or peanut-containing food until you know its source. To find out, contact the manufacturer. If they don't know, don't eat the product. If you think you've become ill from eating a peanut product, contact your health care provider.
  • Stay tuned. FDA posts recall updates online. Check their web site daily, and then go through your kitchen and remove any recalled products. You might also consider signing up for FDA email alerts.

This outbreak raises important questions about the safety of our food supply. Criminal charges have been filed because the PCA plant has a history of positive tests for Salmonella. In addition, there have been calls for congressional action to improve government oversight. What are your thoughts and feelings about this?

11 comments posted

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  • April 23, 2009 10:39 a.m.

    If I was stranded on an island the only food I would need is Peanut Butter. You can live on it if you don't feel like anything else. Now they have ruined this wonderful food for all of us. OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!!! My heart is broken.

    - Ilene

  • February 19, 2009 12:36 p.m.

    For me I was born with peanut's and peanut butter, grandma made it homemade. Now, I am older I am hooked on it. How can a person get hooked on PB like that?

    - anne

  • February 18, 2009 10:09 a.m.

    any item that you are not sure about, i suggest calling the toll free number to the mfr. and asking. that put my mind at ease for the few items in my pantry. better to know than to guess!

    - judy

  • February 18, 2009 9:58 a.m.

    criminal prosecution with jail time and significant monetary fines are the only things that will prevent this manufacturer's behaviour in the future

    - lin

  • February 12, 2009 2:58 p.m.

    This is what happens when you let the anti-science folk run things and determine who gets funding. We're all left at the mercy of the money comes first "the market is always right / Profit Rules" bunch.

    - Peeved

  • February 11, 2009 10:01 a.m.

    excellent as usual from Mayo's! Thx for keeping us straight on this & many other things in your newsletters! I'm very grateful for it; I love peanut butter (Peter Pan) & keep watching to be sure it's OK.

    - Joyce

  • February 11, 2009 9:17 a.m.

    Shame on PCA! peanut butter is a staple for young children .. it's unconscionable that PCA would cut cornerns for greed and put our children at risk.

    - Marie Aprile

  • February 11, 2009 6:09 a.m.

    MY 4YR OLD GRANDAUGHTER LOVES PEANUTBUTTER ON A PIECE OF BREAD OR BY THE SPOONFUL. HOW DO I EXPLAIN TO HER MY CONCERNS ABOUT IT?

    - JULIE DUTTER

  • February 10, 2009 9:59 p.m.

    Yes I do agree that there should be more oversight from the the government. The question I have company's should know where their product is coming from. Are they checking out where their products are processed or made? Are they sending representatives to check out the facility that they are up to the standards that is expected. I believe that business's have a certain responsiblity to know where and how the products that they are selling to consumers are processed or made and someone should be checking out the company.

    - Janice Thompson

  • February 10, 2009 9:40 p.m.

    what happaned to the testing of every batch of peanuts that come into a plant BEFORE TEHY ARE PROCESSED and later after. when idworked at general mills, they had a company with them that did this type of work. chemically. used to tlak to the staff and tehcompanies were going crazy cause tehy had to throw somunny tons out. have them tested before you buy them!!!!!!!!!!1 thsi comnpany's officers should be thrown into jail permently as they knew befor ehand that their product was tanted; yet they continued to sell it. show them no mursey; shoting would be nice as that is all they deseve tehsame was for the tanted milk from china and their other products they palmed off ontheworld . bill griep

    - bill griep 2-10-09

  • February 9, 2009 10:21 p.m.

    Two people in China have been sentenced to death for the melamine tampering that resulted in sickness and death. It is interesting to me that no one in this country has suggested the death penalty for the decision-makers at PCA.

    - K Loomis

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