Public health officials in multiple states, with the assistance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and thse U.S Food and Drug Administration are investigating a large multistate outbreak of Salmonella Tennessee infections. Interviews comparing foods eaten by ill and well persons show that consumption of Peter Pan peanut butter was statistically associated with illness and therefore the most likely source of the outbreak. Although the study did not specifically implicate Great Value brand peanut butter, it is manufactured in the same plant as Peter Pan peanut butter and therefore is believed to be at similar risk of contamination.

The affected jars of Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter have a product code located on the lid of the jar that begins with the number “2111.” Both the Peter Pan and Great Value brands are manufactured in a single facility in Georgia. These products may have national distribution. Great Value peanut butter made by other manufacturers is not affected.

As of February 15th at 3PM EST, 290 persons with Salmonella Tennessee, the Salmonella type associated with this outbreak, have been reported to CDC from 39 states: Alaska (1), Alabama (9), Arkansas (3), Arizona (5), California (1), Colorado (10), Connecticut (2), Georgia (14), Iowa (6), Illinois (5), Indiana (13), Kansas (6), Kentucky (9), Massachusetts (5), Maryland (2), Maine (1), Michigan (5), Minnesota (5), Missouri (13), Mississippi (3), Montana (2), Nebraska (2), New Jersey (5), North Carolina (15), New Mexico (1), New York (32), Ohio (7), Oklahoma (10), Oregon (2), Pennsylvania (23), South Carolina (6), South Dakota (5), Tennessee (18), Texas (13), Virginia (17), Vermont (4), Washington (4), Wisconsin (5), and West Virginia (1). Among 185 patients for whom clinical information is available, 44 (24%) were hospitalized. There have been no reports of deaths attributed to this infection. Onset dates, which are known for 187 patients, ranged from August 1, 2006 to January 30, 2007.

CDCs OutbreakNet (the network of public health officials that investigate foodborne illnesses nationwide) has been monitoring this outbreak which has been prolonged and of low intensity beginning with a few cases in August and gradually growing. Public health officials have been working to identify the source of infection for several months. Two closely related DNA fingerprint patterns have been associated with this outbreak. DNA fingerprinting is routinely done at public health laboratories in all states as part of PulseNet (the nationwide network of public health laboratories that sub-type bacteria).

Health officials and the peanut butter manufacturer are working collaboratively to learn more about production of peanut butter to determine how it may have become contaminated.

Persons who think they may have become ill from eating peanut butter are advised to visit their health care provider and call their local health departments. Persons who have become ill and have Peter Pan or Great Value peanut butter with product code beginning with 2111 should set aside the jar for possible collection by local health officials for further testing. Persons who have not become ill and have peanut butter with product code 2111 should discard the jar.

Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most persons recover without treatment. However, in some persons the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness

For more information, visit the CDC Web site.

Submitted by Rob Anderson. Filed under General Topics

Comments

I have two jars of this Peter Pan Peanut Butter. I became very ill from what I thought was the flu. For two weeks I was vomiting,aching so bad I could not move,except to go to the bathroom.veryhigh temp, chills just very very ill .I did not know until 02/15/07 about the peanut butter that Ihad been eating for 2 weeks .Iwould like to know why this was not mentioned earlier .I am still not up to my normal self and now thanks to this report i will be going to see a M.D. I will not take these jars back for a refund.I do want them to be tested and hopefully I will results back.I did my research and I know just how bad this bacteria can be.
Tina Howell on February 18th, 2007

I have two jars of this Peter Pan Peanut Butter. I became very ill from what I thought was the flu. For two weeks I was vomiting,aching so bad I could not move,except to go to the bathroom.veryhigh temp, chills just very very ill .I did not know until 02/15/07 about the peanut butter that Ihad been eating for 2 weeks .Iwould like to know why this was not mentioned earlier .I am still not up to my normal self and now thanks to this report i will be going to see a M.D. I will not take these jars back for a refund.I do want them to be tested and hopefully I will results back.I did my research and I know just how bad this bacteria can be.
Tina Howell on February 18th, 2007

I at almost 2 jars of this Peter Pan Peanut Butter, with the product code 2111, during this time I was also pregnant, I begin having bad reflux syymptoms, which over the counter medication couldnot get rid of, so my OB-GYN prescribe me some medication. On Oct. 25, 2006 , I gave birth to a 8lb 3oz, baby girl, who appeared to look healthy, but was born with a low heart rate, like a premature baby, and a bad reflux, she had got to the point where she would stop breathing, then she was placed in the hospital, and that is when they discovered her heart rate problem, and the reflux problem, now it all makes since, my daughter would hold her neck all the way back as if though she was going to choke to death, then she begin to turn blue, then she will holla, when we picked her up, the nurse said every time we pick her up we revive her. The doctor put her on liquid caffine to stimulate her heart, and Acid Reflux medication, and she was issued a heart monitor. I ate almost 2 jars of this during my pregnancy.
JUANITA WALLS on February 23rd, 2007

Jiff- Quality Peanut Butter.
Ben on March 8th, 2007

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