Are you confused about whether or not to serve your grandchildren their beloved peanut butter sandwiches these days?
A growing national recall of peanut butter and products made with peanut paste has left consumers scratching their heads, wondering what's safe and what's not, as federal officials seek to contain a salmonella outbreak linked to the Peanut Corporation of America, a food processing plant in Georgia.
Bottom line, according to the Food and Drug Administration: Your brand-name peanut butter — Skippy, Jif, and the like — is not suspect. The contaminated peanut butter was produced for bulk distribution — to institutional settings and food manufacturers — and not for retail sale to consumers.
But you may have products filled with or made with peanut butter — such as crackers, ice cream, cake, cookies, cereal, and candy — which should be discarded, as they may contain peanut butter produced at the facility in question. If you have any products from the Peanut Corporation of America, throw them away immediately.
Most recent numbers indicate that the salmonella outbreak has sickened 491 people in 43 states. Symptoms of infection include diarrhea, cramps, fever, nausea, and vomiting. While most who become infected recover with little or no treatment, the infection may be especially serious in the very young, the elderly, or those with compromised immune systems.
For a complete listing of recalled food products, visit the FDA website. The National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is also offering information on salmonella and product recalls at 800-232-4636.
If you are still unsure about a product, contact the manufacturer directly, either through a customer-service phone number or its website, which should be listed on the packaging. If you still cannot determine the product's origin, the FDA recommends discarding the item.
Read more about feeding your grandchildren.
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