Salmonella Outbreak linked to Peanut Butter
According to State and Federal Health Officials, peanut butter from certain name brands (Peter Pan and Great Value) has been linked to cases of Salmonella in 39 states. Greenwich residents, Food Service Establishments, Schools, Health Care Facilities, Daycares and all consumers should be aware of a Salmonella outbreak investigation associated with peanut butter.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers not to eat certain jars of Peter Pan peanut butter or Great Value peanut butter due to risk of contamination with Salmonella Tennessee. The affected jars of Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter have a product code located on the lid of the jar that begins with "2111". Both the Peter Pan and Great Value brands were manufactured by a single processing facility in Georgia by ConAgra. "Great Value peanut butter made by other manufacturers is not affected."
The CDC is reporting that as of February 15, 2007, 290 persons with Salmonella Tennessee have been associated with this outbreak from 39 states, including Connecticut. There have been no reports of death attributed to this infection. Patients who have reported symptoms have been seen from August 1, 2006 through January 30, 2007.
Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most persons recover without treatment. However, in some persons the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.
Persons who think they may have become ill from eating peanut butter are advised to visit their health care provider and call the Greenwich Health Department at 622-7838. Persons who have become ill and who still have Peter Pan or Great Value peanut butter with product code beginning with "2111" should set aside the jar for possible collection by the Greenwich Health Department. Persons who have not become ill but have the peanut butter products with code "2111" should discard the jar in their household garbage.
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