Don’t Blame Peanut Butter for Salmonella Outbreak: It’s the Meat!

October 2, 2012


A total of 30 people in 19 states have been infected with salmonella in recent days, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The finger is being pointed at peanut butter, specifically from New Mexico nut producer Sunland Inc.

But wait a minute.

Salmonella are intestinal bacteria. And one of the nicest features about peanuts is the fact that they have no intestine. So where are the bugs coming from? Salmonella, like E. coli, are usually transmitted to humans in traces of animal feces that contaminate hands, food-preparation surfaces, and other foods handled in the same area. So the original source of salmonella is a farm raising chickens, cows, or other animals. And peanuts are an innocent bystander.

Widespread use of antibiotics in livestock operations can give rise to resistant bacteria such as salmonella...

Source: Don’t Blame Peanut Butter for Salmonella Outbreak: It’s the Meat!
Author: PCRM

Link: Action needed to stop contamination as peanut butter recall expands
Link: Peanut Butter Recall Expands, Includes Other Nut Butters and More