Jan 22, 09 | Posted by: David Melbye, M.D.

Peanut butter recall – what you should know

I’m sure you all are aware of the peanut butter recall because of the possibility of Salmonella exposure. Check your cupboards to make sure you don’t have any products on the list (recall list link).  This does not affect major brands of jar peanut butter or girl scout cookies.  Salmonella is a bacteria that causes fever, abdominal cramping and diarrhea that often is bloody.  This usually occurs 12-72 hours after exposure. If your child develops these symptoms within three days after exposure to the recalled peanut butter, call for an appointment.  We can test for it by sending stool cultures to the lab.  Even though it is a bacterial infection we don’t treat it with antibiotics.  Salmonella is a self-limited illness that resolves on its own. There are instances where kids can become very sick from dehydration or the infection spreading to other parts of the body so make sure to come in if your child has been exposed to the recalled peanut butter and develops fever, abdominal cramping or diarrhea. Keep watching the news for more recalled products or toys.  You may even see one of us on the news talking about it!

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