HHS HealthBeat (February 09, 2009)

Peanut Safety

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From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

The recall of products made with peanuts processed at the Peanut Corporation of America’s plant in Blakely, Ga., can make a person wonder what peanut products are safe. Illnesses and deaths have resulted from salmonella bacteria found at the plant.

At the Food and Drug Administration, Stephen Sundlof is director of the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition:

[Stephen Sundlof  speaks]``If you don’t know the source of the food that contains peanuts, don’t eat it – just don’t eat it – until you can find out better information.’’

The information is at the FDA Web site, fda.gov, which lists the recalls. Sundlof says that, if the product you have isn’t on the recall list and you have some doubts, check with the manufacturer. If that doesn’t work, put the product aside.

Sundlof also says national brand peanut butter bought at supermarkets is safe.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: February, 09 2009