FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Feb. 16, 2007

The Arizona Department of Health Services is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and local health partners to investigate a multi-state salmonella infection outbreak tied to peanut butter.

Arizona health officials have identified five cases likely related to the outbreak -- two in Pima County, and one each in Maricopa, Mohave, and Cochise counties.

Cases include both males and females with ages ranging from 47 to 76. No deaths associated with the outbreak have been reported in Arizona.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers not to eat certain jars of Peter Pan peanut butter or Great Value peanut butter due to risk of contamination with Salmonella Tennessee (a bacterium that causes foodborne illness). 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." 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.

The full FDA advisory is available online: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01563.html

Salmonella infection can cause diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment. However, for some people, 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.

There have been jars with the affected product code sold in Gila County. Residents should check their purchased Peter Pan or Great Value brand peanut butter.

Residents who think they may have become ill from eating peanut butter are advised to contact their health care provider and the Gila County Department of Health at (928) 425-3189, or if calling from the Payson area, (928) 474-1210. Residents of Gila County can also reach the Department of Health at 1–800-304-4452 extension 8811.