A total of 30 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Bredeney have been reported from 19 states which has led to a multi-state peanut butter recall.
The peanut butter recall has been expanded to include other peanut butter products and other nut butters.
The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: Arizona (1), California (2), Connecticut (3), Illinois (1), Louisiana (1), Massachusetts (3), Maryland (1), Michigan (1), Minnesota (1), Missouri (1), Nevada (1), New Jersey (2), New York (1), North Carolina (1), Pennsylvania (2), Rhode Island (1), Texas (4), Virginia (1), and Washington (2).
4 ill persons have been hospitalized. However, no deaths have been reported.
Collaborative investigation efforts of state, local, and federal public health and regulatory agencies indicate that Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter made with Sea Salt is a likely source of this outbreak.
On September 24, 2012, Sunland, Inc. voluntarily recalled its Almond Butter and Peanut Butter, which which was expanded to include its Cashew Butter, Tahini and Roasted Blanched Peanut Products and other products containing nuts and seeds because these products may be contaminated with Salmonella.
On September 22, 2012, Trader Joe’s voluntarily recalled its Creamy Salted Valencia Peanut ButterExternal Web Site Icon because of potential contamination with Salmonella and urged consumers to not eat the product.
Based on available information, CDC recommends that consumers do not eat recalled peanut butter and other products containing nuts and seeds and dispose of any remaining jars of product in the home or return the product to the place of purchase.
This is especially important for children under the age of 5 years, older adults, and people with weak immune systems.
Investigations are ongoing to determine if any other foods are also a source in this outbreak.
Every year, approximately 42,000 cases of salmonellosis are reported in the United States. Because many milder cases are not diagnosed or reported, the actual number of infections may be twenty-nine or more times greater. There are many different kinds of Salmonella bacteria. Salmonella serotype Typhimurium and Salmonella serotype Enteritidis are the most common in the United States. Salmonellosis is more common in the summer than winter.
Who Is Most Vulnerable?
Children are the most likely to get salmonellosis. The rate of diagnosed infections in children less than five years old is higher than the rate in all other persons. Young children, the elderly, and the immunocompromised are the most likely to have severe infections. It is estimated that approximately 400 persons die each year with acute salmonellosis.
Signs and Symptoms of Salmonella
Most persons infected with Salmonella bacteria 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. Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics.