A nationwide <"https://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/salmonella">salmonella outbreak has claimed more victims and has prompted more recalls. The outbreak has been linked to peanut butter and peanut paste made by Peanut Corporation of American (PCA), which provides peanut ingredients to 85 different food companies. Federal officials continue to advise consumers to avoid snacks and foods made with these ingredients.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday that 485 people have been infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium. Cases have been reported in 43 states and Canada, the agency said. The salmonella outbreak may have also contributed to six deaths. Cases are still being reported to the CDC.
Recalls related to the outbreak continue. Today, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) posted four more notices on its website. The recalls announced today included:
- Peanut Butter Cookies and Peanut Butter Bars made by Evening Rise Bread Co. of McCall, Idaho. The products were distributed in retail stores through Evening Rise Bread Co., McCall, Idaho; First Idaho Bank, McCall, Idaho; Roadhouse Java, New Meadows, Idaho; Mountain Java Coffee Shop, McCall, Idaho; Common Ground Coffee Shop, McCall, Idaho; and Moxy Java Coffee Shop, McCall, Idaho. The cookies and bars are individually packaged in clear Cellophane bags. The label is a sticker with the Evening Rise name and NO other additional information.
- 2 pound packages of Classic Breaks Peanut Butter Cookie Dough sold by Country Maid Inc. The dough was distributed nationwide through fundraising groups between October 6, 2008 through January 9, 2009. The product comes in a rectangular-shaped package with a white wrapper. Classic Breaks Peanut Butter Cookie Dough products with the following lot numbers marked on the side are included in the recall: 26208, 26308, 29808, 33808, 36508.
- Optimum Energy Bars Peanut Butter flavor sold by Nature’s Path Organic Foods of Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. The affected products are marked with the BEST BEFORE DATE OF 01OCT09A and sold in 2 oz (56 g) individually wrap bar with UPC code of 0 58449 77715 1.
- Grreat Choice Dog Biscuits sold at PetSmart stores between Aug. 21, 2008 and Jan. 19, 2009. This recall includes the following:Â Small Assorted 32 oz., UPC 73725702900; Small/Medium Assorted 4 lb., UPC 73725700601; Small/Medium Assorted 8 lb., UPC 73725700605; Small/Medium Assorted 10 lb. UPC 73725702755;Â Large Assorted 8 lb., UPC 73725700638; Extra Large Assorted 8 lb., UPC 73725700779;Â Peanut Butter 4 lb., UPC 73725700766
To avoid illness, the CDC said consumers should:
- Not eat products that have been recalled and throw them away in a manner that prevents others from eating them.
- Postpone eating other peanut butter containing products (such as cookies, crackers, cereal, candy and ice cream) until more information becomes available about which brands may be affected.
- Use FDA’s online database to check if foods you’re concerned about are on the recall list.
- Call the consumer hotline phone number that may be on any product packaging you have to get information directly from the product manufacturer.
- Persons who think they may have become ill from eating peanut butter are advised to consult their health care providers.