Peanuts have been much in the news lately because of illnesses and even deaths traced to contaminated peanut products from a plant in Georgia. Robin Orr, the director of programming for the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program as well as the Family Nutrition Program at the University of Illinois, discussed food safety in general, and peanuts in particular, in a recent interview.

Sales of peanut products have dropped since the news of contamination at a U.S. peanut-processing plant. Is the public's apparent concern about peanut products justified?

People should be concerned and it is their responsibility to be informed. We have the right to be safe and the responsibility to be informed. The problem began with a peanut-processing plant in Georgia that was not safely processing peanuts. Salmonella in tainted products can cause gastrointestinal problems, and even death.

The FDA has done a great job keeping the public informed. As we recommend in all food-safety issues – 'when in doubt, throw it out.' If you are eating a major brand of peanut butter from a jar purchased from a retailer, you are safe. If you're going to eat peanuts in a bar, ask the management where the peanuts were grown and processed. They should know. If they say Peanut Corp. of America, don't eat them. If the bar management doesn't know the origin of the nuts, don't eat them. If you visit www.FDA.gov you can find lists of recalled foods.

What can and should be done to minimize the chances of this sort of contamination happening again?

Adhere more closely to the standards in place. We have had a problem with peanut butter and peanut products since 2007 and that alone should signal the need for a tightening of systems. In the peanut-processing system, contamination from salmonella would logically occur with animal fecal contamination. This should be eliminated as a problem in the roasting process. The issue currently is contamination after roasting. Something was not up to standard in the plant under scrutiny.

Are there guidelines in place that should have prevented this problem or are stricter policies needed?

Following our current guidelines should be enough. It is expensive and often time-consuming to find out the origin and cause of salmonella in the food supply. Stricter policies are expensive and cost lots of money, and then the price of food rises – and we can still get problems. Is our food supply safe? Yes. Do we know where all our food is grown and processed? Not always. People in the United States like cheap food. We don't like when food prices increase. We are going to have an increase in food-borne illness because there are more and more people, more and more places that grow food. The best approach for consumers is to know all you can about the food you are buying and eating. Ask questions. Realize your power as a consumer.

Hello Master Food Preservers,

Please be reminded that we will be having our first quarterly MFP meeting/potluck on February 26. Details are below.

What: MFP Quarterly Meeting and Database Training

When: Thurs. Feb. 26, 2009

Where: Extension office at the Ag. School - 3807 W. 111^th Street -- ENTER at EAST Building

Time: 6 - 7:30 p.m.

Details: Please bring your MFP hours that need to be recorded. Be sure to bring a dish to share for the potluck dinner. We expect 12 people and Extension will provide coffee/tea.

We will see you there!

Nancy Kreith

January 31, 2009

Illinois Department of Public Health/Division of Food Drugs and Dairies

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This is the most recent information regarding products/companies issuing recalls as part of an ongoing investigation related to Peanut Corporation of America that may impact Illinois. We expect this list to expand even further. For a list of all recalls regarding the investigation into the Salmonella typhimurium outbreak visit the FDA website at: http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/salmonellatyph.html.

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Meijer Announces Voluntary Recall for Some Meijer Brand Peanuts and Ice Cream Novelties Citing Possible Health Risk (January 30)
Fri, 30 Jan 2009 09:27:00 -0600

Meijer initiated a voluntary recall of two types of its Meijer Brand dry-roasted peanuts and four types of Meijer Brand ice cream novelties sold in all of its stores in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky. Meijer removed all identified products from its stores and gas stations. All sell-by dates are impacted by this recall.

Hy-Vee Inc. recalls two bakery products with peanuts distributed in seven states due to possible health risk (January 29)
Fri, 30 Jan 2009 09:41:00 -0600

Hy-Vee Inc. is voluntarily recalling its freshly made party mix and peanut brittle because the products contain whole peanuts that have the potential to be contaminated with salmonella. All sell-by dates are included in this recall. The products are sold in various types of packaging and have a Hy-Vee price label attached. The items should be destroyed or returned to Hy-Vee for a full refund.

Country Maid Expands Upon Previous Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Classic Breaks Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Due to Possible Health Risk (January 29)
Fri, 30 Jan 2009 10:17:00 -0600

Due to the second expanded recall from the Peanut Corporation of America, additional lot numbers of peanut butter are now included that were used to manufacture the peanut butter cookie dough. The peanut butter used to make the cookie dough was supplied by Peanut Corporation of America and may be contaminated with Salmonella.

Major national brands of jarred peanut butter found in grocery stores are NOT on the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) recall list.

• Case count is 637 in 44 states with latest confirmed, most recent reported illness beginning on January 28, 2009
• Consumers may use FDA's online database* to see if foods are on the recall list. Those without Internet access may call 1-800-CDC-INFO (available 24 hours a day, seven days a week) for product recall information.
• Information for Pet Owners: Questions and Answers Related to the Salmonella Typhimurium Outbreak and Pets
• Information for Veterinarians: Information Regarding Peanut Butter and Peanut-Product Recall and Pets
• Additional Advice for Consumers
• Salmonella Signs and Symptoms
• Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Infections Associated with Peanut Butter and Peanut Butter-Containing Products --- United States, 2008--2009. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, January 29, 2009 / 58 (Early Release);1-6.
• Salmonella Strains Tables for Outbreak Related to Peanut Butter and Peanut-Containing Products
• CDC Podcast - What Kids Need to Know About Peanut Butter and Salmonella
• CDC Podcast - Salmonella Serotype Typhimurium Outbreak in Peanut Butter and Peanut Butter-Containing Products
• CDC's Role During a Multi-State Foodborne Outbreak Investigation
• CDC's Role in Food Safety
• CDC E-cards Related to Salmonella Outbreak