You Got Salmonella in My Peanut Butter

Being one of those people who are not allergic to peanuts I tend not to pay much attention to the things I eat containing peanuts.  When I was a kid the biggest question involving peanuts was whether someone's chocolate got in my peanut butter.  The last couple of weeks have raised the even darker question of Is there salmonella in my peanut butter?

I heard about the peanut butter recall and honestly didn't pay that much attention.  I only have a PBJ once every year or so.  I soon discovered though just how many foods other than peanut butter have been affected by the salmonella peanut recall.  Some cookies, snack bars, and ice cream flavors are just three of the other types of foods that have been recalled.  Learning that prompted me to take a close look at the recall to ensure the safety of my family.  We have Blue Bunny ice cream in the fridge, thankfully just not the No Sugar Added Reduced Fat Bunny Tracks.  Sadly pet food has also been affected, but once again I have managed to dodge that bullet.

The peanut recall has launched a criminal investigation by the FDA.  What can consumers do about this?  Several things.

1.  Check to see if there are any food products that you have purchased that are on the recall lists.  Dispose of anything you find.

2.  If you discover a problem with food, a medical device, or medication, report it to the FDA.

3.  Keep your ears out for any class action suits or settlements that might be coming in the future so you can put in a claim for money you spent on recalled food.

4.  If you ate one of the contaminated products and became ill, consider consulting with an attorney to make sure you understand your rights.

5.  Sign up for food recall alerts from the FDA.  Sometimes just knowing about a potential problem even a few hours before you hear about it somewhere else could make all the difference.

The safety of our food is something that we often take for granted.  However, given the number of products that seem to have been recalled lately, it would definitely seem worthwhile to practice an old medical adage: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  Shop at stores you know, buy brands you trust, always check the expiration date, and keep up on all the latest recalls. 

Related Links:

• Check out the FDA's searchable database of products affected by the recall.
• Read more about the recall and keep up with the most current brand recalls.
• If you have a problem with a food, drug, or medical item, report it to the FDA.
• Discover more about recall procedures.