02/19/2009 - Peanut butter from King Nut companies was confirmed to be the root of the Salmonella outbreak after laboratory analyses were conducted. This outbreak has affected over thirty people in Minnesota and nearly four hundred across the country. Eating food contaminated with Salmonella can cause abdominal cramping, diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Anyone that has these symptoms and believes that it is the result of consuming contaminated products is advised to contact their health care provider.

King Nut peanut butter is produced by Peanut Corporation of America, Lynchburg, VA, and is distributed in seven states by Ohio-based King Nut companies. Distribution in Minnesota occurred at hospitals, schools, universities, restaurants, long-term care facilities, and bakeries. The product is not distributed for retail sale to consumers but hundreds of companies are recalling their products and taking precautions to prevent their customers from consuming contaminated food. A complete list of all peanut butter and peanut containing products is available online at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s website:
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/peanutbutterrecall/index.cfm.

Kelly Longueville, Community Health Intern
Benton County Public Health
Kelly.Longueville@co.benton.mn.us