Strollerderby : salmonella

Oh, Pistachios! Nut Recall Expands

KeriF — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 21:30:00 GMT

Just when you thought it was safe to eat nuts again, comes word that traces of salmonella were found in a pistachio plant. The FDA is now advising consumers to hold on to their pistachios--and not eat them--while they investigate further.

The FDA is quick to add that thus far there has been no outbreak of salmonella.

Kraft Foods, which operates the plant in question, notified the FDA today that it found the salmonella during routine testing. In response, Back to Nature Trail Mix and Private Selection shelled pistachios (from Kroger markets) have been recalled.

The nuts in question came from Setton Farms, which told the FDA it will be recalling one million pounds of pistachio products.

FDA Associate Commissioner David Acheson said, "I want to emphasize that this recall was not triggered because of an outbreak," adding, "What we're doing here is getting out ahead of the curve."

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Salmonella Might Be In Second Peanut Plant

Brett Singer — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 04:26:00 GMT

The AP is reporting that samples from a second Texas plant owned by The Peanut Corp. of America have a "presumptive positive" result. What'd they find? Salmonella.

This just keeps getting worse.

The news is currently being reported as a "maybe," and the AP story says that no products from the plant were shipped to consumers. Personally I have a hard time believing that. Not that I have any knowledge of the situation beyond what I've read. I'm just suspicious.

This line made me furious: the plant in Plainview, Texas "had operated unlicensed and uninspected for nearly four years." How exactly does something like that happen?

Are you still giving your kids peanut butter and jelly? Or have you switched to cream cheese or some other sandwich spread?

Source: AP via Yahoo! News

What Will Tainted Peanut Butter Really Do To Our Kids?

Morning News - Obama, Limbaugh, Cheese

Whew! Girl Scout Cookies Safe From Peanut Butter Scare

Web Index of Recalled Peanut Butter Products Available

Recall after Five People Die; Tainted Peanut Butter Blamed

Peanut Butter Sales Plummet--Even the Safe Brands

Shannon LC Cate — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 13:02:00 GMT

Folks keep asking us here at Strollerderby whether they should avoid even the big brands of peanut butter in the face of a historic outbreak of salmonella stemming from one plant in Georgia.

Here's the official list of brands NOT affected by the recall. Looks like Jif, Skippy, Peter Pan are all fine.

I am paranoid and don't use peanut butter anyway, so personally, my family isn't buying it or any products with peanuts or peanut butter in them. It seems like a safer bet to avoid it all, rather than taking the trouble to browse the FDA website for every product possible.

On the other hand, should other peanut butter manufacturers suffer because of the galling oversight of one plant? Perhaps not. But they are. Peanut butter sales across the board--not just of affected brands--are down close to 25% in the last month, since the recall was announced. Big companies are putting out ads and coupons to reassure customers that their products are safe.

In our current economy, it's a shame that one company's unethical behavior has hurt a whole industry, but is it any surprise that parents will exercise caution--even over-caution--when stories of death by peanut-butter are circulating everywhere?

The takeaway lesson for me in all of this is that the food industry needs better regulation. Last year's beef recall (remember the near-miss with mad cow disease, anyone?) was blamed in part on a shortage of USDA inspectors to check up on the meat industry. Similar problems plague food production throughout the system. When there aren't enough inspectors to keep everyone honest, it seems that everyone is put at risk of paying for one plant's dishonesty.

Maybe some of the stimulus money in the legislation currently before Congress should create a few new jobs for food safety watchdogs.

Peanut Recall Expands (ya-a-awn!) Again; Plant not at Fault, Regulation Is

Shannon LC Cate — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 15:30:00 GMT

The peanut problems aren't over, folks. In fact, it seems like there's no end in sight. The FDA's website has a widget where you can look up products that you might have that have been subject to recall either by FDA orders or voluntarily. There are several new companies and products now on the list. Be sure to check back and make sure your cupboards are bare...of peanuts at least.

Meanwhile, a bit of research has turned up that in fact, though the plant that produced the contaminated food knew it had a salmonella problem, it wasn't required to report this to anyone. In fact, though the Peanut Corporation of America had at least 12 positive tests for salmonella between 2007 and 2008, they kept it a secret. The regulations, rather, give federal regulators the right to examine the records from a plant after an outbreak. I'm sure the 500 ill and the families of the 8 dead really appreciate this after-the-fact regulation.

For the whole, sordid tale, see:

Peanut Corporation of America Knowingly Sold Tainted Food

Trace Mercury Found in High Fructose Corn Syrup

Web Index of Recalled Peanut Butter Products

What Will Tainted Peanut Butter Really Do to Our Kids?

Peanut Butter Recall Expanded

Peanut Allergies, Peanut Schmallergies?

Peanut Allergy Scare Overblown?

Peanut Corporation of America Knowingly Sold Tainted Food

Shannon LC Cate — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 20:00:00 GMT

The salmonella outbreak traced to a peanut plant in Georgia that has killed 8 people and sickened hundreds was no accident. Investigators from the Centers for Diseaese Control and Prevention (CDC) discovered this week that the Peanut Corporation of America had known about its salmonella problem for at least two years, but looked the other way. In a dozen cases throughout 2007 and 2008, samples of their product were tested and found contaminated, but rather than pull the batch of product, the company went to a different lab for a second round of testing. When the second test came back clean, the company shipped the product anyway.

There are plenty of regulations about food safety, but these internal tests done by companies are not subject to any kind of oversight. It's up to the company to do anything about the problems they might find. Clearly this company opted to gamble that no one would trace any food-bourne illnesses to them. And it worked for at least two years. Since many cases of food poisoning are mild enough to go untreated and unreported so this is a gamble that probably works for some companies much of the time.

In addition to the one strain of salmonella that led to the recent illnesses and deaths, three additional strains were found by CDC investigators at the plant this week.

There is no word yet on whether or not the company will face criminal charges. Whether or not? Eight dead, hundreds sick, half of them children? I for one will be pushing for serious consequences for the people responsible for knowingly selling contaminated--even deadly--food.

Trace Mercury Found in High Fructose Corn Syrup

Web Index of Recalled Peanut Butter Products

What Will Tainted Peanut Butter Really Do to Our Kids?

Peanut Butter Recall Expanded

Peanut Allergies, Peanut Schmallergies?

Peanut Allergy Scare Overblown?

Whew! Girl Scout Cookies Safe From Peanut Butter Scare

Kate Tuttle — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 18:01:00 GMT

It's always a big day in our house when we order our boxes of Girl Scout cookies. We don't eat a ton of institutional peanut butter or store-bought cookies in our house, so we hadn't been terribly concerned about the latest salmonella outbreak, but when news came today clearing our beloved Caramel De-Lites (formerly known as Samoas), we all cheered!

Despite some worried calls to local leaders around the country, apparently this season's Girl Scout cookie sales have not been dented by the salmonella scare, nor even by the nation's crumbling economy. Some things really are too big to fail.

In related news, Girl Scouts thin mint cookies are, despite an oversight in the labeling process, kosher.

Web Index of Recalled Peanut Butter Products Available

First Lawsuit Filed in Peanut Butter Salmonella Scare

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Web Index of Recalled Peanut Butter Products Available

JeanneSager — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 21:52:00 GMT

If yours is one of those households that depends on peanuty goodness to get through the day, the salmonella scandal of '09 has probably sent you rushing to the cabinets each time a new product has been added to the list.

Take heart - you're not the only one!

To make things a little easier on us, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set up a searchable index of recalled peanut butter products.

Broken down into brand name, product name, lot and/or stock numbers, labels and packaging size, the list puts all of the information you need in one place. But you do have to do a thorough check. The initial page lists "peanut butter product recalls" in a long list, making you think that's where you need to go to get all the peanut butter-related products. Not so. Other sections on the page link to lists of crackers that were recalled because of peanut butter or nutrition bars recalled for the same reason.

The overall list includes the pet foods recalled too - so it hits the whole family. And if you're as freaked out by all these food frenzies as I have become, at least you can get all your stress out in one place!

Image: Costco

What Will Tainted Peanut Butter Really Do To Our Kids?

JeanneSager — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:29:00 GMT

The first - and I doubt the last - lawsuit has been filed in the tainted peanut butter scandal.

A mother from Vermont says her seven-year-old son had to be hospitalized from salmonella poisoning after eating Keebler's sandwich crackers, which were filled with a peanut butter spread. Seven weeks later, she says the boy is still recovering.

The makers of the Keelber crackers, Kellogg's, have voluntarily recalled products containing peanut butter that may or may not be tainted, but based on the dates in Gabrielle Meunier's affidavit, young Christopher ate his snacks several weeks before news broke on the possible outbreak and recall.

Like the spinach and tomato scare of 2008, this one has hit home - these are foods my family eats on a relatively regular basis (more so the veggies than the crackers, but peanut butter is a staple in our house). I went rifling through our cabinets when I heard the news and came up with nothing, but who knows what she already powered through (like Amy's kids and those Clif bars).

So what should parents be watching out for? According to the CDC, "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."

Lest you think this is a simple few days of noxious diarrhea, Christopher Meunier is recovering, but not every kid is so lucky.

Kids are actually the most likely candidates for salmonellosis (salmonella poisoning). The rate of infections in kids under five is five times higher than the rate of infection in any other age group, and children, the elderly and immunocompromised are the most likely to have severe reactions. The CDC estimates that approximately 400 persons die each year with acute salmonellosis.

So, now that I gave you your mega scare for the day, how about a jelly and cream cheese sandwich?

Image: Costco

Update: Peanut Butter Recall Expanded

Shannon LC Cate — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 22:32:00 GMT

Little Debbie peanut butter snack crackers are being recalled due to concerns about the recent salmonella outbreak in the peanut butter used in industrial and institutional capacities. Though no illnesses have been reported, Little Debbie is voluntarily recalling "peanut butter toasty" crackers and "peanut butter cheese" crackers to be on the safe side.

The company joins Kelloggs which has already recalled Austin and Keebler branded Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, some snack-size packs of Famous Amos Peanut Butter Cookies and Keebler Soft Batch Homestyle Peanut Butter Cookies.

Federal officials are advising consumers to avoid all kinds of products containing peanut butter, like ice cream, cookies, cakes, crackers and other products made with peanut butter in the factory. Major label peanut butter in jars, sold for consumer use is thought to be safe, since the outbreak was traced to commercial and institutional use peanut butter only.

Recall after Five People Die; Tainted Peanut Butter Blamed

Shannon LC Cate — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 18:30:00 GMT

A company manufacturing peanut butter sold in bulk to institutions and food manufacturers has recalled its product after the deaths of at least two, perhaps up to five people (in three cases, the cause of death is still being determined). 400 people have fallen ill in 43 states due to salmonella traced to the peanut butter.

What makes this outbreak particularly upsetting is the institutional aspect. This peanut butter goes to schools, nursing homes and food manufacturing companies that use peanut butter as an ingredient in other foods. Customers of "Parnell's Pride" and "King Nut" brand peanut butter are being informed by phone of the recall.

Kelloggs is also recalling its Austin and Keebler brand peanut butter crackers as a result. No outbreaks have been traced to these snack crackers, but to stay on the safe side, it's probably a good idea to return any you might have in you cupboard.

Image: Boston.com

They Say: Microwaving Frozen Dinners Can Make You Sick

Amy S.F. Lutz — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 14:27:00 GMT

I think we can all agree that frozen dinners are less tasty, and usually less healthy, than home cooked meals. But I always thought frozen dinners had one advantage over home cooking: convenience. Five minutes in the microwave, and voila - dinner is served.

Now, however, experts say that some frozen dinners shouldn't be cooked in the microwave. To which I say, then what's the point?

The problem lies with frozen dinners that contain raw meat. Microwaves cook unevenly, and can leave undercooked spots loaded with nasty bacteria, such as E. coli, salmonella and listeria. Last week, a salmonella outbreak that sickened 32 people in 12 states caused the government to warn people to make sure they thoroughly cook frozen chicken before eating it. And this wasn't the first outbreak linked to frozen food. Last year, hundreds of people became sick from salmonella-infected pot pies from Banquet and E. coli-tainted frozen pizzas from General Mills.

Although many consumers assume most frozen food has already been cooked, according to experts, that's a misconception. Even meat that's breaded or browned might be raw on the inside. To be safe, frozen meat should be cooked through in the oven.

I guess there's always take-out . . .

Things Fall Apart: Salmonella in Your Spinach

Karen Murphy — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 11:34:00 GMT

Just when you thought it was safe to eat fresh bagged spinach again, it's not. Literally tons of spinach distributed by Metz Fresh LLC of King City, California into all lower 48 U.S. states plus Canada has been recalled due to testing positive for salmonella. The majority of the tainted spinach was held by the distributor and never released, but there's still plenty out there to make you or your family sick.

The recall covers 10- and 16-ounce bags, as well as 4-pound cartons and cartons that contain four 2.5-pound bags, with the following tracking codes: 12208114, 12208214 and 12208314. If you have questions you can call Metz Fresh at 831-386-1018.

Salmonella sickens about 40,000 people a year in the U.S. and kills about 600. It can cause diarrhea, fever, dehydration, abdominal pain and vomiting.

Again, don't eat bagged spinach. Bleh. Even Popeye is turning over in his grave about now.

Things Fall Apart: Think Tahini is Healthy? Not the Salmonella Flavor!

Karen Murphy — Thu, 24 May 2007 21:58:00 GMT

Tahini. Yum, healthy, right? A wonderful addition to hummous, an adored dippage item when consumed by preschoolers on their organic baby carrots, and it makes great salad dressing.

Not when it's contaminated by Salmonella. The recalled brands are MaraNatha Raw Sesame Tahini, Organic Raosted Sesame Tahini, Natural Raw Sesame Tahini and Natural Roasted Sesame Tahini. Ugh. I have a jar of this in my refrigerator. We ate some already. I'm not feeling so well, can I go home now? [cough] All the affected jars have a use-by date of 10/02/07 or earlier. Call 1-800-883-8312 for more information.

Seriously. Oh. Also you need to be worried about Whole Foods 365 Every Day Value brand Sesame Tahini. It's full of Salmonella too. No toll-free number here, but you can always call 512-477-5566 for more information.

On both sites is this lovely reminder: "Consumption of a food contaminated with Salmonella may cause symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis. These symptoms could be serious or life-threatening in young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems."

I think this now provides an explanation for the previously-unexplained GI symptoms we all experienced recently. Excuse me, I have to go deal with the jar of poison that's in my fridge.

A Word About Easter Chicks: Don't

Karen Murphy — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 12:57:00 GMT

I've been hearing since I was little about what a bad idea it is to give chicks and ducklings to kids as Easter gifts. So why is it, I wonder, that someone somewhere out there must not be getting the same memos that I have been all these years, because I ran across this article stating concern about the potentially deadly link between those cute little chicks, kids, and salmonella poisoning. Salmonella causes an infection that typically results in diarrhea, fever, and cramps, with most people recovering without treatment in a few days. Some cases, however, require hospitalization as the infection rapidly spreads throughout the body. Nice, huh?

So I have to wonder, why would anybody want to give a live chick as a gift (okay, birds creep me out, maybe it's just me)? Yes, they're cute, especially those little ones that have been dyed. But, eww, the dying itself must be awfully toxic to the poor little things, and within a few weeks they grow out of that fuzzy cute stage and then become...chickens. And who wants a frickin' chicken (sorry, couldn't resist) running around, scaring small children and fighting with the cats over the kibbles? Unless you live on a farm, of course, whereupon you can sweetly gather those nice organic eggs in your little organic basket and make one hell of an omelet. In which case the chickens have, you know, a chicken-place to live. Coop. Yeah, that's it. A coop. And maybe you don't mind so much the smell and the mess and the stuff you step in, because it's, well, a farm. Where they have that stuff. And where they probably don't think about giving chicks as gifts to kids, unless they plan on eating that chicken one day.

And then what happens to that poor unwanted chicken, half-grown now and ugly? I daresay not many of us urban or suburban dwellers are prepared to mix a chicken and a hatchet and come out with Sunday dinner. So are they abandoned at roadsides, dropped off in the dead of night at farms or animal shelters (who must love the annual chicken influx), or left to starve or fend for themselves? None of those sound like good options. I think I'll stick with bunnies. The chocolate kind, where the hardest question posed is: tail first, or ears?

Strollerderby : salmonella

Oh, Pistachios! Nut Recall Expands

Salmonella Might Be In Second Peanut Plant

Is The Peanut Allergy Scare Overblown?

What Will Tainted Peanut Butter Really Do To Our Kids?

Morning News - Obama, Limbaugh, Cheese

Whew! Girl Scout Cookies Safe From Peanut Butter Scare

Web Index of Recalled Peanut Butter Products Available

Recall after Five People Die; Tainted Peanut Butter Blamed

Peanut Butter Sales Plummet--Even the Safe Brands

Peanut Recall Expands (ya-a-awn!) Again; Plant not at Fault, Regulation Is

Peanut Corporation of America Knowingly Sold Tainted Food

Whew! Girl Scout Cookies Safe From Peanut Butter Scare

Web Index of Recalled Peanut Butter Products Available

What Will Tainted Peanut Butter Really Do To Our Kids?

Girl Scouts Suffering From Economic Downturn Too

Update: Peanut Butter Recall Expanded

Recall Alert: Clif Bars (Sez Big Brother Robocall)

They Say: Parents Pack Bad Lunches

What Will Tainted Peanut Butter Really Do To Our Kids?

They Say: Parents Pack Bad Lunches

Vatican to Women: The Pill Pollutes Environment, His Testes

Update: Peanut Butter Recall Expanded

Recall Alert: Clif Bars (Sez Big Brother Robocall)

Recall after Five People Die; Tainted Peanut Butter Blamed

Update: Peanut Butter Recall Expanded

Recall after Five People Die; Tainted Peanut Butter Blamed

They Say: Microwaving Frozen Dinners Can Make You Sick

Things Fall Apart: Salmonella in Your Spinach

Things Fall Apart: Think Tahini is Healthy? Not the Salmonella Flavor!

A Word About Easter Chicks: Don't