Salmonella Outbreak in 39 States Traced to Tainted Peanut Butter

ROCKVILLE, Md., Feb. 15 -- Two brands of peanut butter manufactured in a single Georgia facility may be contaminated with Salmonella serotype Tennessee, according to the FDA.

The CDC linked the two brands, Peter Pan and Great Value, with the product code "2111" on the lids of the jars, to 288 cases of foodborne illness.

The first case was reported in August 2006, but the CDC and FDA said the outbreak appeared to be ongoing and cases had been reported in 39 states.

Although the CDC identified Peter Pan peanut butter as the likely cause of illness, the Great Value brand peanut butter beginning with product code 2111 is also manufactured in the Sylvester, Ga., ConAgra plant as Peter Pan peanut butter. So both brands with that product code are believed to be at a similar Salmonella risk.

The FDA warned consumers to discard have any Peter Pan or Great Value brand peanut butter with the 2111 identifying label on the lid of the jar purchased since May 2006.

The FDA said Great Value peanut butter made by other manufacturers is not affected.

ConAgra is recalling all Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter beginning with product code 2111 that has been distributed. The company also is destroying all affected products in its possession.

The FDA has sent investigators to the ConAgra plant, and the agency said the company would cease production until the exact cause of contamination can be identified and eliminated.

Salmonella Tennessee has previously been linked to outbreaks of foodborne illness in powdered milk in 1993 and lobster in 2002.

Symptoms of foodborne illness caused by Salmonella include fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. In persons with poor underlying health or weakened immune systems, Salmonella can invade the bloodstream and cause life-threatening infections.