Is my peanut butter safe?

1.  Is it safe to make my child a peanut butter sandwich?  The FDA says as of now there is no indication that brand name peanut butter sold in jars at grocery stores is linked to the outbreak.   

2. What about other food made with peanut butter?   Officials say you should throw out foods that have been recalled because they contain peanut butter or peanut paste made by the Peanut Corporation of America.  Peanut paste is found in commercially made products such as cakes, candies, crackers, cookies and ice cream.  The list keeps growing, so it’s important to keep an eye on the FDA’s website.  If you’re not sure about the ingredients in the peanut products you have, FDA officials recommend holding off consuming them.

3.  What about the peanut butter served at schools?  The peanut butter found to contain salmonella bacteria was made by the Peanut Corporation of America.  They make peanut butter for institutional use in places like prisons, schools and nursing homes.  They also produce peanuts for other products.  As a precaution, the Peanut Corporation of America has recalled all peanut butter and peanut paste made in its Blakely, Georgia, plant since January 1, 2007.   That means institutions should no longer be serving it.      

4.  How do I know if I have been infected by salmonella?  According to the Centers for Disease Control, most people infected by salmonella bacteria develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after the infection.  Most people recover without treatment.  However, in some cases salmonellosis, as the infection is called, can be deadly.  The infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream and on to other body parts.  Antibiotics need to be administered immediately.  The elderly, infants and people with impaired immune systems are more likely to get seriously sick.  If you think you may have salmonellosis, go to the doctor immediately.  The doctor can perform lab tests to determine if you have it.  

Posted by: Jennifer Pifer-Bixler - CNN Medical Senior Producer
Filed under: Empowered Patient • Jennifer Pifer-Bixler