Peanut Butter, Jelly, and a Side of Salmonella

A salmonella outbreak has lead to peanut butter being recalled all over the U.S. King Nut, one of the nation’s leading peanut butter companies, issued a recall of all the peanut butter it distributes, because of the fear of spreading salmonella. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that this outbreak has infected 399 people in 42 states across the United States. Apparently, the salmonella was found in one of King Nut’s open, 5-lb. tub of peanut butter. The source of the outbreak was determined to be this tub of peanut butter from King Nut and it was reported that it caused at least one death in Minnesota. The CDC determined that the type of salmonella affecting Americans is called Typhimurium. Most of the cases occurred between October and December of last year, but the first reported case was September 3rd. 18 percent of the victims were hospitalized, and patients of all ages were affected. Most of the cases were reported in California, with the state having 55 occurrences. Eight states had no cases at all, including Alaska, Florida, Hawaii, among others. Salmonella symptoms begin with nausea and vomiting and progress to abdominal pains and diarrhea. Additional signs and symptoms include fever, chills and muscle pains, and can last anywhere from several days to two weeks. It can be treated with antibiotics, though some strains can be resistant to them. Most people recover without any treatment at all, but others have severe dehydration and need to spend time in the hospital. So, when you’re hungry in the middle of the day, choose ham and cheese over PB&J until all of this gets cleared up.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/01/10/salmonella.outbreak.cdc/

Brian Carpenter
VTPP 435-501