Reacting to a nationwide salmonella outbreak, the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned consumers to discard jars of Peter Pan peanut butter and generic Great Value peanut butter (distributed at Wal-mart stores nationwide). The move is in response to the discovery of the Salmonella Tennessee bacteria in peanut butter believed to be implicated in salmonella cases in more than 39 states since August 2006. ConAgra, which manufactures Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter, issued a voluntary Peter Pan peanut butter recall, warning consumers not to consumer peanut butter from jars with the serial number "2111" on their lids.

Salmonella Outbreak: More Than 450 Known Cases

To date, more than 450 cases of salmonella have been reported to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including nearly 50 hospitalizations for salmonella symptoms including cramps, vomiting, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal ailments. The FDA is warning that all Peter Pan peanut butter purchased since March 2006 should be discarded and not consumed; though no salmonella has been directly linked to Great Value peanut butter yet, the peanut butter is produced at the same Georgia facility as the Peter Pan peanut butter and is also being warned against.

The outbreak was linked to peanut butter when most of the infected patients said they had eaten peanut butter. Reportedly, up to a quarter of the salmonella victims eat peanut butter on a daily basis. New York, Virginia, Tennessee, Missouri, and Pennsylvania reported the highest number of salmonella cases, though numbers are still coming in. The Peter Pan peanut butter plant was last inspected in 2005; a similar peanut butter salmonella outbreak in Australia a decade ago was linked to unsanitary production facilities.

Salmonella is a food-borne illness with food-poisoning-like symptoms such as abdominal cramping, nausea, fever and dehydration. The last nationwide salmonella outbreak on record was linked to tomatoes, though salmonella is often caused by undercooked foods such as chicken and eggs. Mild cases of salmonella will last four days or so and require the same kind of treatment given to flu patients: rest and plenty of fluids. However, severe cases may require hospitalization, antibiotics and ongoing medical care.

Information on ConAgra Peter Pan Recall

ConAgra, which manufactures the Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butters, issued a voluntary recall of jars labeled '2111' on February 14, 2007. Though the company denies that its internal tests revealed evidence of salmonella, it is removing the jars from shelves and asking consumers to discard the product, but keep the lid for a full refund. ConAgra is requesting that consumers who wish to be refunded mail the lid, their name and mailing address to ConAgra Foods, P.O. Box 3768, Omaha, NE 68103.

If You've Been Affected By The Peter Pan Peanut Butter Recall

If you have been hospitalized or sickened with salmonella after eating Peter Pan peanut butter or Great Value peanut butter, get appropriate medical care. Then contact an experienced peanut butter recall attorney to find out more about your legal rights. You could be entitled to a peanut butter recall lawsuit that would provide monetary compensation for your lost wages, medical care and other expenses associated with the outbreak. Use LegalView's Case Evaluation form to get in touch with an experienced peanut butter lawyer today.