Two South Dakota children have salmonella after eating tainted peanut butter that was distributed to some public entities in the state, but Mitchell parents needn't worry, says the head of the Mitchell School District's food services.
The salmonella has been traced to King Nut peanut butter and Parnell's Pride peanut butter, both of which are produced by the same manufacturer. The tainted peanut butter came in certain lots, which can be traced by their packaging codes. The codes for the tainted product begin with "8" and have been recalled.
"At this time, we do not have any of that product," said Moen. "We have almost no peanut butter usage whatsoever and we do not have that particular brand."
The peanut butter, produced by the Peanut Corporation of America, is distributed nationally, including in South Dakota.
State Epidemiologist Lon Kightlinger said Tuesday that the Department of Health has confirmed two cases of salmonella in children related to the product. The Department of Health on Tuesday would not say where the children are from.
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The product is sold in bulk and is not available in grocery stores, he said.
"We were just notified today that there was a facility in the state that had received the peanut butter and we can't rely just on the company's release so we had issued the state's press release," said Kightlinger. "The main thing is it has not been shown that it's in the peanut butter you get and buy at the store; its bulk, industrial sized peanut butter."
The peanut butter is distributed to institutions such as hospitals, schools, nursing homes and bakeries.
People who may have eaten the tainted peanut butter are urged to contact their physician immediately. Salmonella may cause diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
Although Kightlinger would not say where the victims are from, he said they live on opposite sides of the state.
"This just gives us a clue or indication that the product is available all around the state, probably," he said. "It's a small number of confirmed cases and the assumption is that anyone eating this peanut butter is at risk and it's not limited to one geographically area. All need to be aware."
