ConAgra Says Salmonella Found in Peanut Butter

ConAgra Foods said on Thursday that tests by some states found the salmonella bacteria in peanut butter produced at its Sylvester, Georgia, plant, where its Peter Pan and Great Value
brands are made.

A ConAgra news release did not specify which states. ConAgra spokeswoman Stephanie Childs said the presence of salmonella in its peanut butter had been
detected in Iowa, and other states would be announcing similar results. She was not able to specify the other states.

The company a week ago recalled Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter due to possible contamination with salmonella. The Great Value brand is made exclusively for Wal-Mart Stores.

U.S. health officials said last week that more than 290 people from 39 states had become ill in the food poisoning outbreak.

Earlier this week, ConAgra said none of its tests had shown signs of salmonella, but it initiated the recall as a safety precaution.

At the same time, ConAgra said it would take a charge of $50 million to $60 million in the current quarter related to the peanut butter recall.

Salmonella poisoning can cause nausea, diarrhea and other ill effects, but usually the sickness clears up on its own in less than a week.