News

Nearly everyone has heard about the peanut recall but a new poll shows that there is some confusion about which products are to be avoided.

One in four mistakenly believe major national brands of peanut butter are affected, for instance.

Less than half are aware that several other products containing peanuts are on the recall list—pet treats, for instance.

Reminder: FDA Salmonella Peanut Recall List will enable you to check any type of food or brand you are concerned about.

Harvard School of Public Health

“A new national study conducted by the Harvard Opinion Research Program at the Harvard School of Public Health finds that the vast majority (93%) of Americans have heard or read about the recent ongoing recall of peanut products. Among those who are aware of the recall, about six in ten (61%) say they have taken one or more precautions to reduce their risk of getting sick from contaminated peanut products. Specifically, about one in four say they have checked ingredient lists on foods in the grocery store to make sure they know which products contain peanuts (27%), thrown away foods in their home that they think might be on the recall list (25%), stopped ordering foods containing peanuts in restaurants (22%), and stopped eating those foods they heard were in the recall (28%), while 15% say they have stopped eating all foods containing peanuts.

“The poll also finds that among those who are aware of the recall, one in four (25%) mistakenly believe that major national brands of peanut butter are involved in the recall. Seventy percent correctly identify peanut butter crackers as being involved. However, less than half are aware that several other products containing peanuts have been recalled, including some in each of the following food categories: snack bars (49%), cakes, brownies, and cookies (45%), pet treats (43%), candy (39%), pre-packaged meals (36%), ice cream (27%), and jars or cans of dry-roasted peanuts (23%).

“The survey was conducted between February 4-8, 2009, during the peanut product recall that began on January 12, 2009.”

Source: Harvard School of Public Health, February 13, 2009

Source: Harvard Opinion Research Program Study, February 4-8, 2009