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Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Bredeney Infections Linked to Peanut Butter

Posted September 25, 2012 01:15 PM ET

At a Glance:

Case Count: 30
States: 19
Deaths: 0
Hospitalizations: 4
Recall: Yes

More Information:

Latest Case Count Map

Persons infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella Bredeney, by State

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Latest Epi Curve

Persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Bredeney, by date of illness onset

Click graph to view updated & previous epi curve graphs.

Highlights

Read the Advice to Consumers »
A total of 30 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Bredeney have been reported from 19 states.
- The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: Arizona (1), California (2), Connecticut (3), Illinois (1), Louisiana (1), Massachusetts (3), Maryland (1), Michigan (1), Minnesota (1), Missouri (1), Nevada (1), New Jersey (2), New York (1), North Carolina (1), Pennsylvania (2), Rhode Island (1), Texas (4), Virginia (1), and Washington (2).
- 4 ill persons have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
Collaborative investigation efforts of state, local, and federal public health and regulatory agencies indicate that Trader Joe's Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter made with Sea Salt is a likely source of this outbreak.
- On September 24, 2012, Sunland, Inc. voluntarily recalled its peanut butter and other products containing nuts and seeds [PDF - 5 pages] because these products may be contaminated with Salmonella.
- On September 22, 2012, Trader Joe’s voluntarily recalled its Creamy Salted Valencia Peanut Butter because of potential contamination with Salmonella and urged consumers to not eat the product.
Based on available information, CDC recommends that consumers do not eat recalled peanut butter and other products containing nuts and seeds and dispose of any remaining jars of product in the home or return the product to the place of purchase.
- This is especially important for children under the age of 5 years, older adults, and people with weak immune systems.
Investigations are ongoing to determine if any other foods are also a source in this outbreak
CDC will update the public on the progress of this investigation as information becomes available.

September 25, 2012

Case Count Update

A total of 30 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Bredeney have been reported from 19 states. The number of ill people identified in each state with the outbreak strain is as follows: Arizona (1), California (2), Connecticut (3), Illinois (1), Louisiana (1), Massachusetts (3), Maryland (1), Michigan (1), Minnesota (1), Missouri (1), Nevada (1), New Jersey (2), New York (1), North Carolina (1), Pennsylvania (2), Rhode Island (1), Texas (4), Virginia (1), and Washington (2).

Among persons for whom information is available, illness onset dates range from June 11, 2012 to September 11, 2012. Ill persons range in age from less than 1 year to 77 years, with a median age of 7 years. Sixty-three percent of ill persons are children under the age of 10 years. Sixty-six percent of ill persons are male. Among 13 persons with available information, 4 (31%) patients reported being hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

Illnesses that occurred after August 30, 2012 might not be reported yet due to the time it takes between when a person becomes ill and when the illness is reported.

Initial Announcement

September 22, 2012

CDC is collaborating with public health officials in several states and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Bredeney infections. Preliminary results from this ongoing joint investigation indicate that Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter made with Sea Salt is a likely source of this outbreak.

Public health investigators are using DNA “fingerprints” of Salmonella bacteria obtained through diagnostic testing with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, or PFGE, to identify cases of illness that may be part of this outbreak. They are using data from PulseNet, the national subtyping network made up of state and local public health laboratories and federal food regulatory laboratories that performs molecular surveillance of foodborne infections... (show more »)

A total of 29 ill persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Bredeney have been reported from 18 states. This number may change as more cases are confirmed.

Among persons for whom information is available, illness onset dates range from June 11, 2012 to September 2, 2012. Ill persons range in age from less than 1 year to 77 years, with a median age of 7 years. Seventy-six percent of ill persons are children under 18 years old. Sixty-four percent of ill persons are male. Among 11 ill persons with available information, 4 (36%) reported being hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

This PFGE pattern has rarely been seen before in PulseNet, and in the past typically caused 5-8 cases per year. Illnesses that occurred after August 29, 2012 might not be reported yet due to the time it takes between when a person becomes ill and when the illness is reported.

Investigation of the Outbreak

State public health officials are interviewing ill persons to obtain information regarding foods they might have eaten and other exposures in the week before illness. Preliminary information indicates that Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter made with Sea Salt is a likely source for the Salmonella Bredeney infections. Fourteen (100%) of 14 ill persons interviewed report shopping at Trader Joe’s locations across the United States. Twelve (86%) of 14 ill persons report eating Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter made with Sea Salt in the week before becoming ill. This peanut butter is sold at Trader Joe's grocery stores nationwide and on the internet. Investigations are ongoing to determine if any other foods sold primarily at Trader Joe’s grocery stores are also a source in this outbreak.

CDC and state and local public health partners are continuing laboratory surveillance through PulseNet to identify additional ill persons and to interview ill persons about foods eaten before becoming ill. FDA is continuing to work closely with CDC and state partners during this investigation. CDC will update the public on the progress of this investigation as information becomes available.(« show less)

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