Obama Says FDA Needs Review After Peanut Illnesses
Two salmonella cases reported in Huron County
USDA ISSUES FINAL RULE ON MANDATORY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELING
Guide to Handling Produce Safely
Likely Voters Want Federal Produce Safety Standards
News 14: Leaders call for produce tracking
Salmonella in Ohio - Video Report
FDA Expands Tomato Warning Nationwide
FDA Stymied In Push to Boost Safety of Produce
Investigation of Outbreak of Infections Caused by Salmonella Saintpaul
Killer Tomatoes Salmonella Outbreak Threat in the US
McDonalds Outs Tomatoes from Sandwiches over Salmonella Threat
Restaurants grocers react to salmonella threat stop selling tomatoes
Salmonella Threat Rises with One Reported Death
Salmonella threat takes bite out sales
Sandwiches feel lonely Tomatoes shelved over salmonella threat
Tips to keep your fruits and vegetables safe and healthy
Tomatoes pulled Salmonella threat
Thursday January 22 2009, 12:24pm
The Huron County General Health District is monitoring the widening recall list of peanut butter and peanut paste following a national outbreak of salmonella Typhimurium.
The health district, along with the federal government, advises consumers to avoid eating cookies, cakes, crackers, candies, ice cream, cereal and other foods containing peanut butter until health officials learn more about the contamination.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has traced the outbreak to a Georgia plant owned by Peanut Corp. of America, which makes peanut butter and peanut paste.
So far, the outbreak has sickened more than 485 people in 43 states and Canada, and may have contributed to six deaths. Cases, some of which date back to October 2008, match each other by their DNA fingerprint, and thus appear to have a common origin.
Ohio currently tops the list for the number of salmonella cases in the nation, identifying 64 throughout the state, according to the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Two salmonella cases have been reported in Huron County. Salmonella cases reported in neighboring counties include two in Lorain and Richland, respectively, and one in Seneca. Salmonella has yet to be reported in Erie, Sandusky, and Ashland counties.
Salmonella is the nation's leading cause of food poisoning. Most people infected with salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection, lasting four to seven days. Although most people recover without treatment, severe infections may occur. Infants, elderly persons, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely than others to develop severe illness.
"Our mission is to promote health and prevent disease," said Chris Cherry, director of nursing for the Huron County General Health District. "We are taking action by informing the public to use an abundance of caution and avoid eating recalled products that might endanger their health and well-being."
Concerns over consumer exposure to salmonella came to light last week when the CDC and public health officials in multiple states compared foods eaten by ill and well persons suggested peanut butter as a likely source of the bacteria causing the infections. To date, no association has been found with major national brand name jars of peanut butter sold in grocery stores.
The FDA continues to investigate after a 5-pound container of King Nut brand creamy peanut butter tested positive for salmonella bacteria. The peanut butter is manufactured for sale in large containers to institutions such as nursing homes, hospitals, schools, universities, restaurants, delis, cafeterias and bakeries. It is not sold directly to consumers. King Nut also distributes peanut butter manufactured for them by the Peanut Corporation of America under the Parnell's Pride brand, however, they are not the only distributor.
A recall of all products has been issued for both brands and Peanut Corp., pin-pointing products specifically with lot codes beginning with "8."
In addition, Kellogg Co. has issued a recall for 16 products including Famous Amos Peanut Butter Cookies, Keebler Soft Batch Homestyle Peanut Butter Cookies and peanut butter sandwich crackers sold under its Austin Quality Foods and Keebler brands.
The Salmonella-linked recall extends to Ralcorp's Walmart bakery items: Little Debbie brand Peanut Butter Cheese and Peanut Butter Toasty sandwich crackers; Perry's, Shurfine and Wegman's ice cream; Hy-Vee cookies; H-E-Buddy fruits, vegetables and snack trays with dips; and a variety of candies made by South Bend Chocolate Company.
Source: http://www.norwalkreflector.com/articles/2009/01/22/front/iq_669932.txt
