For Immediate Release:
February 16, 2007

Contact:
Nanci Gonder
Office of Public Information
573-751-6062

Missouri Reports Cases of Salmonella Poisoning Related to Contaminated Peanut Butter

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services announced today that it has received reports of 13 people who have tested positive for Salmonella poisoning related to consuming contaminated peanut butter. Missouri is one of 39 states involved in a national product recall of two kinds of peanut butter believed to be contaminated with salmonella. The two affected brands are Peter Pan Peanut Butter and Great Value Peanut Butter, both having serial numbers beginning  with “2111”.

Most people recover from salmonella poisoning without medical attention, however if persons are experiencing illness after consuming the recalled peanut butter, they may want to seek medical care from their health care provider. If laboratory testing confirmed Salmonella Tennessee, additional testing may be done on the peanut butter, so a person who suspects illness from consuming the recalled peanut butter should keep it. If testing does not identify Salmonella, please dispose of the peanut butter.

If consumers have this product, they should discard it, but save the product lid. For a full refund, consumers must return the Peter Pan Peanut Butter or Great Value Peanut Butter product lid along with their name and mailing address to ConAgra Foods, P.O. Box 57078, Irvine, CA 92619-7078. Consumers with questions or concerns about the recall can call the 24-hour toll-free hotline at 866-344-6970.

Additional information can be obtained from CDC’s website at: http://www.cdc.gov/ and click on the Salmonella link on the main page. Information is also available on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website at http://www.fda.gov. FDA’s news release about the product contamination and health warning can be accessed at: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01563.html.

Currently, Missouri’s cases range in age from three years to 89 years of age. One case reported an onset date of June. Other cases onset dates range from September 30, 2006 until January 30, 2007. Cases are distributed statewide.