Multistate Outbreak Linked to Peanut and Almond Butter Expands

Another victim has been counted in the Salmonella Bredeney outbreak linked to contaminated nut products from a New Mexico company, bringing the number of people sickened from 29 people in 18 states to 30 in 19 states.  The number of ill people in each state was announced for the first time today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cases by state are as follows: Arizona (1), California (2), Connecticut (3), Illinois (1), Louisiana (1), Massachusetts (3), Maryland (1), Michigan (1), Minnesota (1), Missouri (1), Nevada (1),  New Jersey (2), New York (1), North Carolina (1), Pennsylvania (2), Rhode Island (1), Texas (4), Virginia (1) and Washington (2). CDC is still reporting that four victims have been hospitalized. Those sickened range in age from less than one year old to 77 years, with a median age of 7. The majority of victims - 66 percent - are children under the age of 10.  Illness onset dates range from June 11, 2012 to September 11, 2012. Illnesses that began after August 30 may not yet have been reported due to the usual time delay between when a person falls ill and when their case is reported, notes CDC in its outbreak update.  The victim from Minnesota reported eating Trader Joe's Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter in the week before falling ill in late July, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.  Trader Joe's issued a recall of this brand of peanut butter Friday, before the supplier of that peanut butter -- New Mexico-based Sunland, Inc. -- issued its own recall of the Trader Joe's peanut butter along with other peanut and almond butters sold nationwide.  A description of products subject to that recall is available here.  "Investigations are ongoing to determine if any other foods are also a source in this outbreak," says CDC in its outbreak report. The agency recommends that people dispose of any remaining jars of recalled product, and notes that "This is especially important for children under the age of 5 years, older adults, and people with weak immune systems." Symptoms of Salmonella usually appear between 6 and 72 hours after exposure and include fever, chills, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache and muscle pains.  If you think you may have contracted a Salmonella infection, contact your healthcare provider.  © Food Safety News More Headlines from Foodborne Illness Outbreaks »