California Food Illness Attorneys
California Salmonella Poisoning Lawyers

Peanut Butter Salmonella WARNING!!

ConAgra Foods Announces Test Finds Salmonella in Its Peanut Butter

Food Safety Crisis
Click here to read an important article about the FDA safety testing decline.

The FDA has recently issued a warning against certain types of jarred peanut butter, as the products may be infected with Salmonella. So far, it has only been certain jars of Peter Pan Peanut Butter and Great Value Peanut Butter.

To read the official FDA Warning, please click here.

Since August of 2006, the number of reported Salmonella cases linked to this recall has risen to almost 300, with cases occurring in 39 states. The CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) noted that it is the first outbreak of Salmonella due to peanut butter in U.S. history.

A warning has been issued by the FDA and a recall is in effect for certain jars of Peter Pan and Great Value Peanut Butter. An investigation is underway to determine the actual causes of the Salmonella outbreak. But the following statistics lead the CDC and FDA to issue such a warning:

• About 20% of those infected with Salmonella have been hospitalized and fortunately no deaths have occurred.
• 85% of those infected reported having had peanut butter before the onset of symptoms.

The warning for the peanut butter is only for jars which were packaged by a certain manufacturer. The jars made in ConAgra, a single facility in Sylvester, GA, are thought to be the only jars affected. These jars can be identified by the product code which is printed on the lids. Any jars made at the ConAgra facility are stamped with a product code that begins with “2111”. If you have contracted Salmonella and have a jar of either of the recalled peanut butters, discontinue use immediately and keep the jar.

Salmonella is a very dangerous bacterial disease, which untreated, can cause death. Most who are infected with Salmonella will develop symptoms within 12-72 hours of infection. Symptoms can include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramping. The illness can last from 4 to 7 days and while most people recover without treatment, this is not always the case. In some cases, the patient can experience diarrhea that is so severe, hospitalization is necessary to keep the patient from suffering dehydration. Also, in these patients, the Salmonella can spread from the intestines to the blood stream, and then to any other parts of the body. If and when this occurs, it is critical that the patient receive antibiotics immediately to prevent death.

Salmonella is most common in foods of animal origin such as beef, poultry, milk and eggs, although it can develop in any type of food, including fruit and vegetables. Many raw foods of animal origin are contaminated, but the bacteria is killed through thorough cooking. Foods can also become contaminated by an infected food handler or one who has not washed their hands after using the restroom. Salmonella can also be found in the feces of some pets, especially if they are sick, and some reptiles are also known to be carriers of the Salmonella.

If you or a loved one has become seriously infected with Salmonella from eating contaminated peanut butter, please contact Bisnar | Chase. We care about our clients, and have been exclusively representing cases of severe injury and wrongful death since 1978. The firm is based in Orange County, but represents clients throughout Southern California.

If you or a loved one has become seriously ill as the result of Salmonella from any source, please contact a California Food Poisoning Lawyer at Bisnar | Chase immediately. Call today for a free consultation.

THE CALL IS FREE. THE PEACE OF MIND IS PRICELESS!