Diet Safety: It May Be Peanut Paste That Is The Problem

Over the last couple of days, as the FDA investigation expends, it seems like we are learning more and more about how big our peanut butter concern is. Yesterday, the FDA asked food makers nationwide to check whether their peanut-containing products include a recalled peanut paste made by the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) and to recall or hold those products as a precaution.

The peanut paste, which consists of ground, roasted peanuts, was distributed to 85 companies, including food makers and other distributors. It’s an ingredient in "many other products, including cookies, crackers, cereal, and ice cream," Stephen Sundlof, DVM, director of the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, said at a news conference.

As a result of this warning, Peanut Corporation if America has announced new recall. This recall covers:

all peanut butter produced on or after August 8, 2008 and peanut paste produced on or after September 26, 2008 at the Georgia facility. The peanut butter being recalled is sold by PCA in bulk packaging in containers ranging in size from five to 1,700 pounds. The peanut paste is sold in sizes ranging from 35 pound containers to tanker containers.

Customers should call 1-877-564-7080 for further instructions on what to do with the product or visit the company web site at www.peanutcorp.com.

The problem is FDA testing is finding Salmonella in these products. Most people infected with Salmonella develop the symptoms 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover with treatment. However, in some persons, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. It can be deadly to infants, the elderly and those that are sick all ready. For more information on Salmonella bacteria, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Website at http://www.cdc.gov.

If you or a family member is injured by a product, you need to get immediate medical care. If there is a significant affect or injury, you should contact an attorney concerning the problem. Early investigation can include the collection of product, checking recall alerts, and the proper notifying of those who caused the problem.