The Salmonella outbreak linked to almond butter and peanut butter sold at Tradee Joe’s, Whole Foods, Safeway, Kroger and other stores includes cases from high risk groups: small children and the elderly. One of the four reported cases is a 3-year-old, another is 83.
Children under 5, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems- including pregnant women are all at high risk for Salmonella poisoning which sickens 1.2 million Americans each year and kills 400. Of all the high risk groups, children under 5 account for the largest percentage of cases.
The peanut butter, produced by nSpired Natural Foods, Inc., was sold under a variety of brand names including: Arrowhead Mills, MaraNatha, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Safeway, and Kroger. It has been recalled but because it has a long shelf life, health officials are concerned that some consumers may still have it in their pantries.
So far, cases have been reported in Connecticut, Iowa, Tennessee, and Texas. One person has been hospitalized.
Symptoms of Salmonella poisoning, which include diarrhea, fever, vomiting, abdominal cramping, nausea, chills and headache, usually develop within 12 to 72 hours of exposure and last about a week. For some people, the diarrhea can be so severe that hospitalization is required. These patients can develop a more serious, sometimes fatal infection that spreads from the intestines to the blood stream.
