Salmonella cases top 600 nationwide – 18 cases in Washington State

The number of cases of Salmonella infections linked to peanut-containing products has topped 600, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Eighteen cases have been identified in Washington state, three of whom live in King County.

Cases have been identified now in 44 states, and case has been reported in Canada. Roughly one in five cases required hospitalization. It is thought the infections contributed to eight deaths, none in Washington state.

Manufacturers and retail stores continue to issue recalls for products containing peanuts produced at a facility in Blakely, Georgia run by the Peanut Corporation of America.

That plant has been determined to be the source of the outbreak by investigators from the CDC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

FDA investigators allege that the company shipped peanut-paste products even after they had tested positive for the bacteriaSalmonella Typhimurium. 

Investigators also found the plant was not in compliance with FDA standards and failed “ to implement steps to mitigate Salmonella contamination in the facility,” the FDA says.

A criminal investigation is now underway.

Among the products most recently recalled is Trader Joe’s Frozen Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookie Dough, which the company distributes nationwide. The company is also recalling a number of other products sold outside of Washington state. 

National brands of jarred peanut butter found in grocery stores have not been affected by the recalls, the CDC says.

The outbreak now appears to the decline, but because symptoms may not appear for several weeks after infection more cases can be expected.

You can also learn about the latest recalls buy going to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) update page, which includes a link to a searchable database of recalled products.

Consumers should note that some pet snacks and food are included in the recall.

Consumers can also call a helpline maintained by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) where operators can look up a product you have concerns about and tell you if it is on the FDA list.

The number is 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636).

The line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you want updates on the latest recalls as they are posted, you can sign up to follow the FDA recalls on Twitter.

You can also check to see if a product has been recalled using the “widget” maintained by the FDA below.

The CDC’s advice for consumers;

• Major national brands of jarred peanut butter found in grocery stores are NOT affected by the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) recall.
   
• Any product that is on the recall list should be disposed of in a safe manner. Any recalled product should be thrown away to prevent Salmonella infections in humans, pets, or other animals. This product should be disposed of in a closed plastic bag and placed in a sealed trash can to prevent people or animals, including wild animals, from eating it.
   
• Consumers also should avoid eating products made with peanut butter, 
  peanut paste, or other peanut-containing products if they are unsure whether 
  these products have been recalled.
   
• Consumers with pets should know that some pet foods and pet treats may contain peanut butter, including dog biscuits and bird food. If you have a recalled pet product 
  in your household, do not feed it to your pet or other animals. For more information 
  about this outbreak and your pet, you may visit Questions and Answers Related to theSalmonella Typhimurium Outbreak and Pets.
   
• To determine whether a product has been recalled, consumers can search the 
  list of recalled products at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website or 
  telephone the company that distributed the product at the phone number on the 
  package.
   
• Consumers without internet access can telephone 1-800-CDC-INFO 
  (1-800-232-4636), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for product recall information 
  from the FDA website and for other information on salmonellosis.
   
• Persons who think they might have become ill from eating peanut butter or
  peanut-containing products should consult their health-careproviders.
   
• Infants, elderly persons, and persons with impaired immune systems are more 
  likely than others to develop severe illness.

To learn more:

• Visit the CDC’s Salmonella Outbreak Update Web page.
• Visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Salmonella Outbreak Update Web page.
• Visit the FDA’s “Frequently Asked Questions” Web page.
• Read more of LocalHealthGuides coverage in postings below.
• Read the companies’ press releases concerning some of the most recalls below.
• Visit Public Health – Seattle & King County information page which has links to information on Salmonella in Chinese, English, Korean, Somali, Spanish and Vietnamese.

Tags: Peanuts, Product Recall, Salmonella

Category: Digestive System, Infections, Product Recall