In Depth Information on the Peter Pan Peanut Butter Recall

Jul 18
20:45

2007

Peter Kent

Peter Kent

  • Share this article on Facebook
  • Share this article on Twitter
  • Share this article on Linkedin

In February 2007, Peter Pan and Great Value (Wal-Mart's store brand) peanut butters were linked to 425 cases of salmonella across the United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials believe this is the first salmonella outbreak involving peanut butter to occur in the United States. This article provides more information on the details of that recall.

mediaimage

The federal Food and Drug administration issued a warning to consumers to discard jars of Peter Pan and generic Great Value bran peanut butters,In Depth Information on the Peter Pan Peanut Butter Recall Articles after what appears to have been a nationwide salmonella outbreak. The outbreak appears to be related to the detection of the presence of Salmonella Tennessee bacteria in jars of peanut butter, which are believed to be linked to salmonella cases that have occurred since 2006 in more than 39 states. The maker of these brands of peanut butter, ConAgra foods, has issued a voluntary recall of all jars of these two brands of peanut butter that have the number "2111" on their lids. Consumers should not consume any of these brands of peanut butter with this number.

Salmonella Outbreak: More Than 450 Known Cases

To date, more than 450 cases of salmonella have been reported to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including nearly 50 hospitalizations for salmonella symptoms including cramps, vomiting, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal ailments. The FDA is warning that all Peter Pan peanut butter purchased since March 2006 should be discarded and not consumed; though no salmonella has been directly linked to Great Value peanut butter yet, the peanut butter is produced at the same Georgia facility as the Peter Pan peanut butter and is also being warned against.

The outbreak was linked to peanut butter when most of the infected patients said they had eaten peanut butter. Reportedly, up to a quarter of the salmonella victims eat peanut butter on a daily basis. New York, Virginia, Tennessee, Missouri, and Pennsylvania reported the highest number of salmonella cases, though numbers are still coming in. This specific plant that produces Peter Pan peanut butter last underwent inspection in 2005; a similar peanut butter salmonella outbreak in Australia a decade ago was linked to unsanitary production facilities.

Salmonella is a food-borne illness with food-poisoning-like symptoms such as abdominal cramping, nausea, fever and dehydration. The last nationwide salmonella outbreak on record was linked to tomatoes, though salmonella is often caused by undercooked foods such as chicken and eggs. In more mild cases of salmonella, the symptoms will last four to five days and necessitate the same treatment given to patients with the flu: rest and plenty of fluids. However, severe cases may require hospitalization, antibiotics and ongoing medical care.

Information on ConAgra Peter Pan Recall

ConAgra, which manufactures the Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butters, issued a voluntary recall of jars labeled '2111' on February 14, 2007. Though the company denies that its internal tests revealed evidence of salmonella, it is removing the jars from shelves and asking consumers to discard the product, but keep the lid for a full refund. ConAgra is requesting that consumers who wish to be refunded mail the lid, their name and mailing address to ConAgra Foods, P.O. Box 3768, Omaha, NE 68103.

If You've Been Affected By The Peter Pan Peanut Butter Recall

If you have been hospitalized or sickened with salmonella after eating Peter Pan peanut butter or Great Value peanut butter, get appropriate medical care. Then contact an experienced attorney to find out more about your legal rights. As a result of this outbreak, you could be entitled to financial compensation for any lost wages, as well as medical care or other expenses that are in any way associated with the outbreak. Use LegalView's Case Evaluation form to get in touch with an experienced peanut butter lawyer today.