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A few days ago, I reported on the Salmonella outbreak going on in 42 states.
Now, I have an update on this.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) said Monday that peanut butter is the likely culprit behind the salmonella outbreak. The infection has now struck 410 people in 43 states and may have caused 3 deaths.
From the CDC:
Preliminary analysis of an epidemiologic study conducted by CDC and public health officials in multiple states comparing foods eaten by ill and well persons has suggested peanut butter as a likely source. To date, no association has been found with common brand names of peanut butter sold in grocery stores.
An epidemiologic investigation by the Minnesota Department of Health suggested King Nut creamy peanut butter as a likely source of Salmonella infections among many ill persons in Minnesota. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture Laboratory isolated the outbreak strains of Salmonella Typhimurium from an open 5-pound container of King Nut brand creamy peanut butter. The product is distributed in Minnesota to establishments such as long-term care facilities, hospitals, schools, universities, restaurants, delis, cafeterias, and bakeries. It is not sold directly to consumers and is not known to be distributed for retail sale in grocery stores.
On January 10, 2009, King Nut Companies, a distributor of peanut butter manufactured by Peanut Corporation of America, issued a voluntary recall of peanut butter distributed under the King Nut label. In addition, King Nut Companies also issued a voluntary recall of Parnell’s Pride peanut butter distributed by King Nut, which is produced by the same manufacturer. The recalled products have lot codes beginning with “8”. No other King Nut products are included in this voluntary recall.
Go to the CDC website for a look at which states are having the outbreak and how many in those states have been infected.
