FDA warning on peanut butter

(WWLP) - You might want to keep that peanut butter in the pantry after a salmonella outbreak. The Food and Drug Administration says don't take any chances right now until they know what caused this outbreak.

At least six people have died, and more than 400 people nationwide have gotten sick from salmonella poisoning. Officials say they have found traces of contamination at a peanut processing plant in Blakely, Georgia, but it's not confirmed if it’s the same strain behind the outbreak.
Federal health officials are urging people to avoid eating cookies, cakes and other foods that contain peanut butter until more is known about this salmonella outbreak.

Local residents say they are frustrated by how long it takes to figure out what causes these salmonella outbreak. Marylou Ferraiolo said, "I don't know but it takes a long time for them to find out what really causes it."

Salmonella is a bacteria and the most common source of food poisoning in the United States. It can cause diarrhea, cramping and fever. Those at greatest risk are children, the elderly, pregnant women and those who have compromised immune systems.

The plant's parent company, Peanut Corporation of America, has recalled all of its peanut butter from the institutions and food service industries that bought it.