Posted on 02/20/2007 5:37:21 PM PST by xcamel
First Lawsuit Filed Against ConAgra; Many More expected
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in a broader warning, says that all Peter Pan peanut butter purchased since May 2006 should be discarded.
The agency had earlier said that certain batches of Peter Pan and Wal-Mart's Great Value brand peanut butter -- those with a product code on the lid beginning with 2111 -- might contain salmonella.
Meanwhile, in Sylvester, Georgia, government and company investigators are swarming over the ConAgra Foods plant, trying to determine how salmonella got into batches of the peanut butter, admidst rapidly increasing reports of consumer illness and at least one lawsuit against ConAgra.
The plant has been shut down since Wednesday, when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned that Peter Pan brand peanut butter and some batches of Wal-Mart's Great Value house brand were linked to a salmonella outbreak that has sickened at least 300 people nationwide since August.
The number of those sickened is likely much higher than the official estimate as many cases are never diagnosed, as consumers -- like Glenda of Richland, Washington -- simply suffer through the illness on their own.
"I know for sure that three jars that I have eaten from have the correct serial numbers on them," Glenda said in a complaint to ConsumerAffairs.Com, "I have been to the emergency room 3 times with severe cramping, vomiting and diarrhea since August and have had many other bouts that are undocumented since that time as well, plus persistent fatigue and aching eyes and wrists."
"My husband has also had several minor bouts of stomach cramping and vomiting," Glenda said.
Deborah of Salem, N.C., had a similar experience.
"I purchased the Peter Pan Peanut Butter with the product code 2111 which has just been recalled. After consuming a peanut butter and banana sandwich I became very ill with stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting," she said. "I thought it was just a stomach virus thinking that there was nothing in a peanut butter and banana sandwich that could make me sick."
"It was lucky for me that I because sick on Friday night and was sick through the weekend but did not miss any work. It just left me weak and not feeling well for about a week," she said.
But while young, healthy adults may be able to fight off the illness on their own, the very young and the very old are much more susceptible to complications.
"My mother-in-law is almost 90 ... She ate some Peter Pan peanut butter (and) a few days later she stared saying she could't breathe. They took her to the hospital, did all kinds of blood tests ... then we find out about salmonella," said Kenneth of Bosque Farms, N.M.
First Lawsuit
The first of what's likely to be a rash of lawsuits was filed against ConAgra in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., Friday by Susanna and Brian Cox of St. Joseph, Mo.
The lawsuit says Susanna Cox and the couple's two children began developing gastrointestinal illnesses in October after eating Great Value peanut butter, made by ConAgra.
What To Watch For
The affected jars of Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter have a product code located on the lid of the jar that begins with the number "2111." Both the Peter Pan and Great Value brands are manufactured in a single facility in Georgia by ConAgra. Great Value peanut butter made by other manufacturers is not affected.
If consumers have any of this Peter Pan or Great Value brand peanut butter in their home that has been purchased since May 2006, they should discard it.
Symptoms of foodborne illness caused by Salmonella include fever, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. In persons with poor underlying health or weakened immune systems, Salmonella can invade the bloodstream and cause life-threatening infections.
Individuals who have recently eaten Peter Pan and Great Value brand peanut butter beginning with product code 2111 and have experienced any of these symptoms should contact their doctor or health care provider immediately. Any such illnesses should be reported to state or local health authorities.
Wonderful. I've got two jars of it.
One is the Honey Roasted that has had two sandwiches made out of it and the other is an un-opened jar of crunchy.
:(
How long ago?? If it is over two weeks ago and you have not been feeling ill you should be okay.
Jeez...I'm sure mohammed had nothing at all to do with it.....
I recommend store-brand natural peanut butter (not that it won't contain salmonella).
It's just peanuts and salt. It makes me feel better somehow about not eating all the other stuff.
Just reading these reports is giving me emotional distress. I think I'll sue.
Choosey mothers choose Jiff.
I can't stand Peter Pan. I like the just peanuts kind, not the stuff that's been spiked with hydrogenated veg oil, salt, sugar, and who knows what else. Yuk.
Take it back to the store for a refund.
Better safe then sorry. And a visit from Sam and Ella can make you very sorry indeed.
It's been within the last couple of weeks.
My wife is talking about not feeling good today...and she aate out of that jar a couple of days ago.
We are in teh D.C. area and our two jars were bought at the Comissary.
Good idea. I'll do that tomorrow.
tx, I wouldnt play around, have her talk with the doctor. A couple tests could determine if she has it or not.
Like chicken carcases?
tx save the jar your wife ate out of, they could determine if the jar was infected with the virus.
Wise farmers knew notr to place all their eggs in one basket but such advice is ignored in modern business.
That would be "bacteria"
Salmonella isn't a virus, it's a type of bacteria.
Salmonella is a bacterium, not a virus.
just wait until the FTA pushes more food production offshore to central and south america - you think people are getting ill from bad food now, you haven't seen anything yet.
I stand correct. Tx you still might want to have your wife get checked out.
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