Peanut Butter-Related Salmonella Outbreak Update

As the list of recalled products expands related to the recent outbreak of Salmonella, the CDC has made several simple recommendations for American Consumers:

1) Do not eat products that have been recalled and throw them away in a manner that prevents others from eating them

2) Postpone eating other peanut butter containing products (such as cookies, crackers, cereal, candy and ice cream) until information becomes available about whether that product may be affected.

So far, 474 people have been sickened in 43 states, with 107 individuals hospitalized and 6 deaths potentially linked to the outbreak. 40 of the 474 infected individuals reside in Massachusetts.

The CDC states:

"Of the 458 persons with available data, illness onsets were between September 8, 2008 and January 2, 2009. Age range was 1-98."

For the latest list of recalled products, please visit the related page on the website of the Food and Drug Administration, available by clicking here. For general information on salmonella, please click here.

As always, please feel free to call Keith Carlson, Public Health Nurse for the Town of Amherst, at 413-259-3161 for further information.