As a result of a nationwide outbreak of salmonella, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned all Americans to discard jars of Peter Pan brand peanut butter, as well as generic Great Value peanut butter, which is sold at Wal-mart stores across the country. The warning is in response to discovery of the presence of Salmonella Tennessee bacteria in containers of peanut butter, believed to be involved in cases of salmonella that have appeared in more than 39 states since August 2006. The manufacturer of Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter, ConAgra foods, voluntarily recalled the possibly tainted peanut butter. The recall covers any and all jars with the number 2111 on the peanut butter jars' lids.

Salmonella Outbreak: More Than 450 Known Cases

To date, more than 450 cases of salmonella have been reported to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including nearly 50 hospitalizations for salmonella symptoms including cramps, vomiting, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal ailments. The FDA is warning that all Peter Pan peanut butter purchased since March 2006 should be discarded and not consumed; though no salmonella has been directly linked to Great Value peanut butter yet, the peanut butter is produced at the same Georgia facility as the Peter Pan peanut butter and is also being warned against.

The outbreak was linked to peanut butter when most of the infected patients said they had eaten peanut butter. Reportedly, up to a quarter of the salmonella victims eat peanut butter on a daily basis. New York, Virginia, Tennessee, Missouri, and Pennsylvania reported the highest number of salmonella cases, though numbers are still coming in. This specific plant that produces Peter Pan peanut butter last underwent inspection in 2005; a similar peanut butter salmonella outbreak in Australia a decade ago was linked to unsanitary production facilities.

Salmonella is a food-borne illness with food-poisoning-like symptoms such as abdominal cramping, nausea, fever and dehydration. The last time a nationwide salmonella outbreak occurred, it was linked to tainted tomatoes, although salmonella can also be cause by undercooked foods like chicken and eggs. In more mild cases of salmonella, the symptoms will last four to five days and necessitate the same treatment given to patients with the flu: rest and plenty of fluids. However, severe cases may require hospitalization, antibiotics and ongoing medical care.

Information on ConAgra Peter Pan Recall

ConAgra, which manufactures the Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butters, issued a voluntary recall of jars labeled '2111' on February 14, 2007. Though the company denies that its internal tests revealed evidence of salmonella, it is removing the jars from shelves and asking consumers to discard the product, but keep the lid for a full refund. ConAgra is requesting that consumers who wish to be refunded mail the lid, their name and mailing address to ConAgra Foods, P.O. Box 3768, Omaha, NE 68103.

If You've Been Affected By The Peter Pan Peanut Butter Recall

If you have been hospitalized or sickened with salmonella after eating Peter Pan peanut butter or Great Value peanut butter, get appropriate medical care. Then contact an experienced attorney to find out more about your legal rights. As a result of this outbreak, you could be entitled to financial compensation for any lost wages, as well as medical care or other expenses that are in any way associated with the outbreak. Use LegalView's Case Evaluation form to get in touch with an experienced peanut butter lawyer today.