Peanut recall list growing

As the nation’s salmonella outbreak leaves consumers questioning what’s safe to eat, food safety officials advise safety over sorrow.

The list of more than 430 recalled products —- from prepared foods to snack bars and pet food —- continues to expand almost daily, so a product not on the list today may appear later. The Food and Drug Administration’s Web site (www.fda.gov) offers updates.

SOME GOOD NEWS: your favorite jar of major-brand peanut butter is deemed safe to eat, as the company behind the outbreak, Peanut Corp. of America, was not involved with those products.

But PCA did supply peanuts and peanut byproducts to about 100 food producers, who used those as ingredients in products such as cookies, crackers, granola bars and ice cream may not be safe.

“Everybody is going crazy trying to keep up-to-date,” said Elizabeth Andress, a food specialist with the University of Georgia Center for Food Preservation. She has removed many items from her home and taken a wait-and-see approach with others.

Experts advise you to search your pantry, cupboards, desk drawers and other places for products made with peanut granules, peanut meal, dry roasted peanuts, oil roasted peanuts, peanut butter and peanut paste.

Read labels carefully for peanut-related ingredients, and check for the product on the FDA’s site or call the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention’s consumer information line. Discard recalled products immediately.

If you’re unsure about a product’s safety, err on the side of caution, experts warn. “If it has peanuts, stay away from it unless you can prove that it’s otherwise safe,” said Tony Corbo, a legislative representative with the consumer activist group Food & Water Watch.

When dining out, inquire about dishes made with peanuts, especially Asian foods that use peanut butter and crushed peanut garnishes. Ask your server or the chef about their origin, and if you’re uncertain with their answer, avoid the dish.

“I don’t know why anybody would want to go through getting sick when they can find another alternative,” said Andress.

Peanut protections

Until the scare is over, the FDA advises consumers to be cautious. Here are some tips:

> Read product labels for peanut ingredients.

> Check with the FDA’s information line (888-723-3366) or CDC’s consumer information hotline (800-232-4636) for questions. Or go online for a complete list of all products affected: www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/peanutbutterrecall/index.cfm.

> Unlike a salmonella scare from chicken and eggs, the hundreds of peanut-related products involved in the recall cannot be heated to kill the bacteria. So, your only real protection is to discard the item in question.

> When eating at restaurants or bars, ask your server or chef whether foods contain peanuts and the source of those peanuts. If you can’t get a clear answer, avoid eating them.

Source: FDA, staff reports

Salmonella facts

If you think you’ve gotten sick from a contaminated product, contact your doctor. A few facts:

> Vomiting, fever and abdominal cramps within 12 to 72 hours after exposure.

> Usually lasts about 4 to 7 days without treatment other than fluids to combat dehydration.

> Infants, elderly and people with compromised immune systems are more likely to suffer severe infections that can spread from intestines into bloodstream and lead to death.

> Drink plenty of fluids to keep your body hydrated and functioning properly.

> To eliminate abdominal pains, avoid milk products. Consume bananas, rice and toast to soothe the stomach.

> Medications such as anti-diarrheal formula Imodium may help alleviate symptoms.

> Antibiotics can help slow down the spread of infection outside the intestines.

Source: CDC, Mayo Clinic