Salmonella Outbreak in Peanut Products

This book looks at the latest outbreak of Salmonella Typhimirum which started in September 2008. The illnesses peaked in December 2008, affecting consumers in 43 states. Though the illnesses have declined since the first announcement on January 10, 2009 that the suspected cause was peanut butter, they have not abated. The Salmonella strain has been linked to contaminated products from Peanut Corporation of America. As of January 29, 2009, there have been eight deaths and 550 illnesses linked to PCA's products. Thus this book also examines the PCA outbreak, which like countless episodes in the previous decade, illustrates numerous failures and areas where improvements are needed. This is an edited, excerpted and augmented edition of various government publications.