The Food and Drug Administration recently announced a recall of organic peanut butter and a salted-in shell product due to concerns of salmonella contamination. The products were manufactured by Los Angeles-based Torn and Glasser, Inc.
The contaminated products were sold under a variety of labels including Gless Ranch, Sun Harvest, Sprouts, and Torn and Glasser. Individuals who have purchased any of the contaminated items are urged by federal health officials not to eat the products and return them to the place of purchase for a refund.
In a statement the FDA cautioned individuals of the potential health implications of salmonella poisoning including possible fatal consequences for small children, the elderly, and individuals who have weakened immune systems.
“Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain,” the FDA said in a statement. “In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.”
This is one of many salmonella-related recalls recently announced by the FDA. Other recalled products include RidgeBar Peanut Butter Crunch energy bars, Boots & Barkley Pet Treats, Crunk thinkThin Nutrition Bars, and Su-nun Thai Red Peppers.
Salmonella is a bacteria that has been known to cause sickness in humans for over a century. Tips for avoiding salmonella poisoning include washing hands, drinking only pasteurized milk, limiting contact with reptiles, and cooking poultry, beef and eggs thoroughly.
Source: FDA, “Torn and Glasser, Inc Announces Voluntary Recall of Salted Virginia In-Shell Peanuts, and Organic Peanut Butter Due to Possible Health Risk,” Oct. 16, 2012