Peanut Butter Recalled in Salmonella Scare

Common hospital, school brand may have sickened 400 Americans

By Ambreen Ali, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 12, 2009 3:42 AM CST

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Peanut Butter Recalled in Salmonella Scare — Peanut butter used exclusively in food services at places like hospitals and schools is suspected in the salmonella poisoning of some 400 Americans in 42 states. (AP Photo/Larry Crowe)

A peanut butter brand distributed exclusively to food services—including those at schools and hospitals—may be the culprit in the latest salmonella outbreak, which has sickened 400 Americans in 42 states. The Peanut Corp. of America has recalled King Nut and Parnell's Pride peanut butters after the contaminant was found in an open King Nut container at a Minnesota nursing facility, HealthDay reports.

Federal agencies are still investigating whether the peanut butter may have been cross-contaminated by other products in the peanut distributor's facilities. Salmonella is usually transmitted when foods come in contact with animal feces. Two years ago, Peter Pan peanut butter was linked to 625 salmonella cases in 47 states. "We are very sorry this happened," said the president of King Nut. "We are taking immediate action."
(More salmonella stories.)

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