 Junior criminal justice major Brittany L. McKinstry struggles with Cascades Café employee Nichole L. MacBride for the recalled Peanut Butter Energizer smoothie Tuesday. The FDA has confirmed the salmonella outbreak came from peanut products produced by the Peanut Corporation of America processing plant in Georgia. Photo by James Fay
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by LAUREN LAWSON
News Reporter
Appalachian State University has taken its own actions in response to the recalls of peanut butter products after reports of salmonella contamination began appearing across the United States and Canada.
“[Appalachian Food Services] monitors government Web sites and the suppliers of our products as well as receive alerts to any problems,” Ron W. Dubberly, director of Food Services said.
Dubberly said they
received an alert a few weeks ago, and while they received clearance
for most items there was one in particular that was pulled and picked
up by a supplier.
“We
pulled various products that contain peanut butter and we are awaiting
clearance in writing from suppliers before releasing them, unlike a
Kellogg’s peanut butter cookie product that was picked up by the
supplier,” he said.
Freshens’
Peanut Butter Energizer smoothie in Cascades Café in Plemmons Student
Union are among the products that have been pulled.
Dubberly
said the problem is essentially with one company that manufactures a
peanut butter base primarily used in items such as crackers and cookie
dough.
“Most of these products are not ones that we use at Appalachian,” he said.
According
to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of Sunday
there were 501 cases of recorded salmonella illness in victims ranging
from ages younger than one to 98 years of age.
“As far
as I know I have not heard of any cases of this peanut butter related
illness affecting anybody here at Appalachian,” Bev Cuthbertson, nurse
supervisor at Appalachian Health Services said.
At least
seven people have died from salmonella linked to peanut butter across
the United States and Canada, according to Minnesota Health Officials.
Junior dance studies major Tara S. Wicker said she was aware of the recall but not necessarily specific details.
She does not normally buy the packaged peanut butter crackers, she said.
“I stick
to peanut butter in jars for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, but my
dad has warned me not to buy crackers now,” Wicker said.
According
to the Food and Drug Administration, various officials confirmed tests
relating the outbreak to peanut butter and peanut paste produced by the
Peanut Corporation of America at its processing plant in Georgia.
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