FDA follows up on Salmonella outbreak

As a follow-up to the recent Salmonella outbreak linked to peanut butter, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is conducting an extensive inspection of ConAgra's Sylvester, Georgia processing plant.

Samples collected by the FDA revealed the presence of Salmonella. The fact that FDA found Salmonella in the plant environment further suggests that the contamination likely took place prior to the product reaching consumers. Last week, tests by several states identified Salmonella in many open jars of Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter recovered from consumers. In these instances, the Salmonella found in the plant and in the open jars matched the outbreak strain recovered from consumers who became ill.

FDA has learned that the ConAgra plant in Sylvester, GA, sent bulk Peter Pan peanut butter to its plant in Humboldt, TN. The three brands described below are part of the original Peter Pan recall. These brands have been recalled and are no longer being sold. However, some consumers may still have these products in their home.

Consumers who have any of the products listed below should discard them. Individuals who are not sure if the purchased product contains the recalled peanut butter topping should contact the store where the product was purchased.

The bulk peanut butter was used to make the following toppings:

• Sonic Brand Ready-To-Use Peanut Butter Topping in 6 lb. 10.5 oz cans. Sonic outlets used the topping until 2/16/07, when the product was recalled.
  The topping was used in the following Sonic products:
  - Peanut Butter Shake
  - Peanut Butter Fudge Shake
  - Peanut Butter Sundae
  - Peanut Butter Fudge Sundae

• Carvel Peanut Butter Topping in 6 lb. 10 oz. cans. Carvel used the topping until 2/16/07, when the product was recalled.
  The topping was used in the following Carvel ice cream products:
  - Chocolate Peanut Butter
  - Peanut Butter Treasure
  - Peanut Butter & Jelly
  - Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Sundae Dasher
  - Any other customized products containing the Peanut Butter Topping, including peanut butter flavored ice cream in ice cream cakes

• J. Hungerford Smith Peanut Butter Dessert Topping in 6 lb. 10 oz. cans: This topping may be used by retail and restaurant outlets throughout the United States but is not available for direct purchase by the public.

ConAgra informed the public that it is recalling all Peter Pan peanut butter and all Great Value peanut butter beginning with product code 2111. The company's recall extends to products made since December 2005. FDA's advice to consumers continues to be not to eat any Peter Pan peanut butter or any Great Value peanut butter beginning with the 2111 product code.

FDA will provide updates on recalled products, including any other products that may have been made with potentially contaminated peanut butter and distributed to consumers.

Symptoms of foodborne illness caused by Salmonella include fever, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. In persons with poor underlying health or weakened immune systems, Salmonella can invade the bloodstream and cause life-threatening infections or death. Individuals who have recently eaten peanut butter-containing products from these companies and who have experienced any of these symptoms should contact their doctor or health care provider immediately and report the illnesses to their state or local health authorities. Similarly, institutional food establishments and other food service providers who have received reports of illness from consumers after they consumed a product containing this peanut butter are encouraged to share that information with their local health department.

FDA is continuing to work closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and with states and local officials to identify how the contamination occurred in order to prevent similar foodborne illness outbreaks.

Questions and Answers Related to this Outbreak:

Q - What types of peanut butter are affected?

A - All jars of Peter Pan peanut butter purchased since May 2006 and Great Value peanut butter with a product code beginning with 2111 purchased since May 2006 may be affected.

Q - I have a jar of Peter Pan peanut butter purchased since May 2006 or a jar of Great Value peanut butter with a product code beginning with the number "2111" stamped on the lid that has been purchased since May 2006, and I/my children ate some of it, but no one is sick. What should I do?

A - Do not eat any more of the peanut butter. Throw away the jar. If anyone in your family develops severe diarrheal illness with bloody diarrhea, fever, or symptoms lasting more than three days, they should consult a healthcare provider.

Q - I/my household member ate Peter Pan peanut butter purchased since May 2006 or a jar of Great Value peanut butter that has been purchased since May 2006 peanut butter with a product code beginning with the number "2111" stamped on the lid that has been purchased since May 2006 and I/my household member is ill with diarrhea. I still have the jar. What should I do?

A - Do not eat any more of the peanut butter. Throw away the jar.  If the diarrheal illness is severe with bloody diarrhea, fever, or symptoms lasting more than three days, you should consult a healthcare provider.

Q - I/my household member ate Peter Pan peanut butter purchased since May 2006 or a jar of Great Value peanut butter with a product code beginning with the number "2111" stamped on the lid that has been purchased since May 2006 and I/my household member is ill with diarrhea. I no longer have the container of peanut butter. What should I do?

A - If the diarrheal illness is severe with bloody diarrhea, fever, or symptoms lasting more than three days, you should consult a healthcare provider.

Q - I/my household member ate peanut butter that is not the Peter Pan or Great Value brand, and I/my household member is ill with diarrhea. I still have the jar. What should I do?

A - There’s no evidence that this illness has been caused by the peanut butter you are describing. If the illness is severe with bloody diarrhea, fever, or symptoms lasting more than three days, you should consult a healthcare provider.

Q - I have a jar of peanut butter that is not the Peter Pan or Great Value brand and I/my children ate some of it, but no one is sick. What should I do?

A - There is no need to do anything differently. You may consume the peanut butter with confidence.