Number of salmonella cases linked to peanut butter continue to grow despite recall

Despite the Feb. 14, 2007 recall of salmonella-laced Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter, the number of people contracting the illness continued to increase through May, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report. From August 1, 2006 to February 16, 2007 (two days after the peanut butter recall), the CDC confirmed 425 cases in 44 states. However, as of May 22, 2007, the CDC reported that the numbers were still rising with the number of confirmed cases reaching 628 in 47 states. The only states unaffected to that point were Hawaii, New Hampshire, and Utah.

“All remaining jars of Peter Pan or Great Value peanut butter with a product code beginning with 2111 should be discarded,” the CDC announced in a June 1, 2007 press release.

The “Tennessee” strain of salmonella normally afflicts 1 to 5 people in the United States per month. However, public health officials noted a steady increase in numbers – in October 2006, there were 30 confirmed cases. An investigation launched after this outbreak was identified found that many people (85%) reported eating peanut butter within one week of becoming ill.

Further research narrowed the likely cause to Peter Pan peanut butter, starting with product code 2111. As a result, the manufacturer ConAgra recalled all its Peter Pan peanut butter with this product code, along with its Great Value line of peanut butter, also produced in the ConAgra plant in Sylvester, GA.

The CDC inspected the ConAgra plant, and could not find a conclusive reason for the salmonella outbreak. However, the likely cause was linked to a presence of salmonella on peanut shells or even dust, which was allowed to multiply during several flooding events in the processing plant. Either the salmonella was not fully destroyed during heat treatment, or it was introduced to the final product somewhere else in the plant after the heating process.

ConAgra closed operations to allow the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to conduct their investigations, and to fix any problems found during those investigations. As of the June 1, 2007 CDC report the Sylvester, GA plant was still closed, but slated to reopen in August after renovations. ConAgra hoped to reintroduce Peter Pan peanut butter in July, initially subcontracting production to another company.

If you or a loved one became ill after eating Peter Pan or Great Value peanut butter, contact a Jim S. Adler & Associates personal injury attorney. We may be able to help you get the compensation you deserve to cover your medical bills, lost work, and other monetary losses, as well as a damage payment for your pain and suffering. Contact Jim S. Adler & Associates directly by phone for more information, or fill out the form on this page with the details of your salmonella or tainted peanut butter illness for a free case review.

Additionally, Jim S. Adler & Associates has offices at City Place Building, 2711 North Haskell Ave., Suite 2100 LB40, Dallas, Texas 75204-2887;  San Pedro Plaza, 7330 San Pedro Ave., Suite 700, San Antonio, Texas 78216-6237; and Bank of America, 12605 East Freeway, Suite 400, Houston, Texas 77015-5619 (serving Channelview, Texas).

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