Headline News

Update: WebMD

“The ongoing salmonella outbreak linked to six deaths may be associated with peanut-containing products besides peanut butter.

“At least 453 people in 43 states and one Canadian province have been sickened by the outbreak strain of Salmonella typhimurium.

“The FDA asked food makers nationwide to check whether their peanut-containing products include a recalled peanut paste made by the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) and to recall or hold those products as a precaution.

“The peanut paste, which consists of ground, roasted peanuts, was distributed to 85 companies, including food makers and other distributors. It’s an ingredient in “many other products, including cookies, crackers, cereal, and ice cream,” Stephen Sundlof, DVM, director of the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, said at a news conference.

“This is a very active and dynamic investigation, but we don’t yet have the data to provide consumers with specific information about what brands or products they should avoid,” said Sundlof. “As the investigation continues and leads to specific products, we will share that with the public.” The FDA will post those notices on its web site.”

Wall Street Journal Online

“Federal health officials said Friday 453 illnesses and five deaths have been linked to a salmonella outbreak that is believed to have been caused by peanut butter and peanut paste.

“Officials from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control said they are investigating a Peanut Corporation of America manufacturing plant in Georgia as the source of the outbreak.”

Source: Wall Street Journal Online, January 16, 2009