Peanut Butter Recall Expands to 240 Products

CREDIT: Peanut butter via Shutterstock View full size image

More than 200 peanut products have now been recalled because they may contain Salmonella bacteria, U.S. health officials say.

The recalled products all contain peanut butter made at Sunland Inc., a manufacturing company in New Mexico. Today, the Food and Drug Administration said Salmonella bacteria has been found in samples taken from the company's production plant.

Sunland recalled about 100 of its products in late September because they may have been contaminated with Salmonella. Today, the recall was been expanded to include a total of 240 products.

The recall includes all products made at Sunland's product plant since March 1, 2010, the FDA said. Of the newly recalled products, about 50 have "Best-If-Used-By" dates that have not expired, and 90 have "Best-If-Used-By" dates that have expired, but may still be in consumer's homes.

A total of 35 people from 19 states have been sickened from the outbreak, most of whom are children. They were infected with a strain of bacteria called Salmonella Bredeney.

Salmonella can cause serious illness, especially in young children and older adults, the FDA says. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps that develop 12 to 72 hours after infection.

A full list of the recalled products can be found on the FDA's site.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends consumers do not eat the recalled products, and dispose of them or return them to the store.

Pass it on: A recall of peanut products in the United States now includes more than 200 products.

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