FDA: Avoid Foods Made With Peanut Butter
Virginian - Pilot
, 2009-01-18
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON
Federal health authorities on Saturday urged consumers to avoid eating cookies, cakes, ice cream and other foods that contain peanut butter until authorities can learn more about a deadly outbreak of salmonella contamination .
Most peanut butter sold in jars at supermarkets appears to be safe, said Stephen Sundlof, head of the Food and Drug Administration's food safety center.
"As of now, there is no indication that the major national name- brand jars of peanut butter sold in retail stores are linked to the recall," Sundlof said.
Officials are focusing on peanut paste, as well as peanut butter, produced at a Blakely, Ga., facility owned by Lynchburg-based Peanut Corp. of America. Its peanut butter is not sold directly to consumers but distributed to institutions and food companies. But the peanut paste, made from roasted peanuts, is an ingredient in cookies, cakes and other products that people buy in the supermarket.
"This is an excellent illustration of an ingredient-driven outbreak," said Dr. Robert Tauxe, who oversees food-borne illness investigations for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
So far, more than 470 people have gotten sick in 43 states, and at least 90 had to be hospitalized. At least six deaths - including two in Virginia and one in North Carolina - are being linked to the outbreak. Salmonella the most common source of food poisoning in the United States, causing diarrhea, cramping and fever.
The Kellogg Co., which listed Peanut Corp. as one of its suppliers, has recalled 16 products. Health officials said consumers who have bought any of those products should throw them away.
Peanut Corp. has recalled all peanut butter produced at the Georgia plant since Aug. 8 and all peanut paste produced since Sept. 26. Health officials are focusing on 30 companies out of 85 that received peanut products from the plant.
The Midwest supermarket chain Hy-Vee Inc. said Saturday it was voluntarily recalling products made in its bakery departments with peanut butter because they had the potential to be contaminated.
Perry's Ice Cream Co., based in Akron, N.Y., said it was recalling select ice-cream products containing peanut butter. Its recall covered New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia.
Kellogg's voluntary recall Here's a list of products recalled by the Kellogg Co. because they could be contaminated with salmonella from a Georgia peanut processing facility:
Austin Quality Foods Cheese Crackers with Peanut Butter - all sizes
Austin Quality Foods Cheese & Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers - all sizes
Austin Quality Foods Mega Stuffed Cheese Crackers with Peanut Butter - all sizes
Austin Quality Foods PB & J Cracker Sandwiches - all sizes
Austin Quality Foods Super Snack Pack Sandwich Crackers
Austin Quality Foods Chocolate Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers - all sizes
Austin Quality Foods Toasty Crackers with Peanut Butter - all sizes
Austin Quality Foods Reduced Fat Cheese & Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers
Austin Quality Foods Reduced Fat Toasty Crackers with Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers
Austin Quality Foods Cookie/Cracker Pack
Austin Quality Foods Variety Pack
Keebler Cheese & Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers - all sizes
Keebler Toast & PB'n J Flavored Sandwich Crackers - all sizes
Keebler Toast & Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers - all sizes
Famous Amos Peanut Butter Cookies (2- and 3-ounce)
Keebler Soft Batch Homestyle Peanut Butter Cookies (2.5-ounce)
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