Nationwide Salmonella Outbreak

The nationwide outbreak of Salmonella, caused by contaminated peanut butter paste products, continues to find victims across 43 states. The Associated Press reported that the outbreak has killed 6 and sickened more than 470. Many companies including General Mills, Kroger, Kellogg, Little Debbie, and Clif Bar have pulled their products containing peanut butter. The outbreak, traced to the Peanut Corp. of America, a peanut butter distributor, is the second in two years that involves infected peanut butter. The Peanut Corp. has extended its recall to peanut butter and peanut butter products produced after July 1. "We deeply regret that this product recall has expanded, and our first priority is to protect the health of our customers," said Stewart Parnell, president of Peanut Corp.

Salmonella, the nations leading cause of food poisoning, tends to pray on the elderly or those with lowered immune systems. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain. The FDA and CDC have recommended that consumers stop eating peanut butter products until the outbreak has been corrected. To see the latest list of recalled products visit http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/salmonellatyph.html

For more information, visit the Associated Press article.