Testing Confirms Salmonella in Peter Pan, Great Value Peanut Butter

ATLANTA -- Public health officials from several states have confirmed through product testing the presence of Salmonella Tennessee in open jars of Peter Pan and Wal-Mart‘s private-label Great Value peanut butter, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention here. Peter Pan peanut butter and jars of Great Value peanut butter beginning with the product code 2111 were manufactured in ConAgra Foods‘ Sylvester, Ga., plant, which has ceased production. As of late last week, 329 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Tennessee have been reported to the CDC from 41 states. Among 249 patients for whom clinical information is available, 51 were hospitalized. So far, no deaths have been attributed to this infection. Although he couldn‘t comment on pending litigation, ConAgra spokesman Chris Kircher confirmed that lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturer. “We are truly sorry for any harm that our peanut butter products may have caused,” said Gary Rodkin, chief executive officer, ConAgra, in a statement. “Our immediate recall of 100% of our product was taken with the assumption that a link could be found between our peanut butter and the reported cases of Salmonella. We are committed to taking all reasonable steps to remedy the situation.” On Feb. 14, ConAgra recalled the peanut butter after epidemiologic studies comparing foods that ill and well persons said they ate showed that consumption of Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter were both statistically associated with illness and therefore the likely source of the outbreak. -- Julie Gallagher