Salmonellosis–Current Outbreak Investigation Salmonellosis–Current Outbreak Investigation
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases

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Public health officials in multiple states, with the assistance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are investigating a large multistate outbreak of Salmonella serotype Tennessee infections. An epidemiologic study comparing foods that ill and well persons said they ate showed that consumption of Peter Pan peanut butter and Great Value peanut butter were both statistically associated with illness and therefore the likely source of the outbreak.

FDA has advised consumers not to eat any Peter Pan peanut butter purchased since May 2006 and not to eat Great Value peanut butter with a product code beginning with 2111 purchased since May 2006. Peter Pan peanut butter is made in a single facility in Georgia. Great Value peanut butter with a product code beginning with 2111 is made in the same facility as Peter Pan peanut butter. Great Value peanut butter made by other manufacturers is not affected.

As of February 21st at 12PM EST, 329 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Tennessee have been reported to CDC from 41 states. Among 249 patients for whom clinical information is available, 51 (21%) were hospitalized. No deaths have been attributed to this infection. Onset dates, which are known for 224 patients, ranged from August 1, 2006 to February 2, 2007, and 60% of these illnesses began after December 1, 2006.

FDA officials and the peanut butter manufacturer are working collaboratively to learn more about production of peanut butter to determine how it may have become contaminated.

Persons who think they may have become ill from eating peanut butter are advised to consult their health care provider. Persons who have Peter Pan peanut butter purchased since May 2006 or Great Value peanut butter with a product code beginning with 2111 purchased since May 2006 should discard the jar. Local health departments no longer need to collect jars for testing.

Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most persons recover without treatment. However, in some persons the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.

The states that have reported cases are Alaska (1 case), Alabama (10), Arkansas (3), Arizona (5), California (3), Colorado (10), Connecticut (2), Florida (4), Georgia (18), Iowa (6), Illinois (7), Indiana (14), Kansas (8), Kentucky (9), Massachusetts (5), Maryland (2), Maine (1), Michigan (7), Minnesota (5), Missouri (16), Mississippi (5), Montana (2), Nebraska (2), Nevada (1), New Jersey (6), New Mexico (1), North Carolina (16), New York (34), Ohio (7), Oklahoma (10), Oregon (2), Pennsylvania (25), South Carolina (6), South Dakota (5), Tennessee (18), Texas (14), Virginia (23), Vermont (4), Washington (4), Wisconsin (6), and West Virginia (2).

Advice to Consumers
Questions and Answers Related to this Outbreak

Feb 14: FDA Warning to Consumers

See Salmonellosis Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

Contact the CDC:
1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636)
cdcinfo@cdc.gov)