Lab tests found the dangerous bacteria called salmonella in this 5-pound container of peanut butter in a Minnesota nursing home. (AP Photo/Minnesota Department of Health)

Peanut Butter Products May Cause Serious Illness

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are advising people to not eat cookies, crackers, cereal, candy, and ice cream that contain peanut butter. It is believed that these products are making people very sick. Some have died from the illness.

The FDA and CDC advise you to throw out all products containing peanut butter, or return them to the store for a refund.

At least 474 people in 43 states became sickened by Salmonella poisoning. Peanut butter is linked to the illnesses. Peanut butter and peanut paste made by the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) in Georgia have already been recalled.

Symptoms of salmonella include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. They develop 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days. Most people recover without treatment. However, diarrhea may be so severe that it is necessary to go to the hospital. Older adults, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are at highest risk.

Peanut butter recall
"The list of products that may be affected is still being determined and is not complete at this time," says the CDC's Web site.

Health officials say that national, name-brand peanut butters sold in grocery stores have not been linked to the outbreak. PCA's peanut butter was not sold directly to consumers. It was sold to institutions and the food service industry.

The Kellogg Company is one of several companies recalling products that may contain the PCA peanut butter. Check the FDA Web site for other recalls. Here is a complete list of the products recalled by Kellogg's.
• Austin Quality Foods Cheese Crackers with Peanut Butter
• Austin Quality Foods Cheese & Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers
• Austin Quality Foods Mega Stuffed Cheese Crackers with Peanut Butter
• Austin Quality Foods PB & J Cracker Sandwiches
• Austin Quality Foods Super Snack Pack Sandwich Crackers
• Austin Quality Foods Chocolate Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers
• Austin Quality Foods Toasty Crackers with Peanut Butter
• Austin Quality Foods Reduced Fat Cheese & Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers
• Austin Quality Foods Reduced Fat Toasty Crackers with Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers
• Austin Quality Foods Cookie/Cracker Pack
• Austin Quality Foods Variety Pack
• Keebler Cheese & Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers
• Keebler Toast & PB'n J Flavored Sandwich Crackers
• Keebler Toast & Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers
• Famous Amos Peanut Butter Cookies (2- and 3-ounce)
• Keebler Soft Batch Homestyle Peanut Butter Cookies (2.5-ounce)

Sources: FDA, CDC: Don't Eat Peanut Butter Products; FDA and CDC Issue Precautionary Advice Pending Salmonella Outbreak Investigation -- By Miranda Hitti, WebMD Health News, Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD