Peanut Butter scare spreads further

As a result of the recent Salmonella outbreak linked to peanut butter, an extensive inspection of ConAgra's processing plant in Georgia by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has revealed the presence of Salmonella.

The FDA says the Salmonella was found in the plant environment which suggests that the contamination took place prior to the product reaching consumers.

Last week several states reported Salmonella in many open jars of Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter recovered from consumers and the Salmonella strain found in the plant matches that found in the open jars as well as the outbreak strain recovered from consumers who became ill.

According to the FDA ConAgra sent Peter Pan peanut butter to its Humboldt, Tennessee plant for use in ice cream and related toppings for such brands as Carvel and Sonic.

While those related products have already been recalled, officials are warning consumers they may still have some of the products in their home.

The FDA have issued a list of products which should be discarded and say anyone who is unsure 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 has recalled all Peter Pan peanut butter and all Great Value peanut butter beginning with product code 2111 and the recall extends to products made since December 2005.

The FDA advises consumers to not eat any Peter Pan peanut butter or any Great Value peanut butter beginning with the 2111 product code and will provide updates on other recalled products, including any other products that may have been made with potentially contaminated peanut butter and distributed to consumers.

Salmonella symptoms include fever, diarrhea and abdominal cramps; for those with poor underlying health or weakened immune systems, Salmonella can invade the bloodstream and cause life-threatening infections or death.

The FDA says anyone who has recently eaten peanut butter-containing products from these companies and 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.

The same applies to institutional food establishments and other food service providers who have received reports of illness from consumers after they consumed a product containing the peanut butter.

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.

The contaminated products have to date sickened 329 people with 51 needing hospital treatment.