ConAgra extends peanut butter recall

ConAgra has extended its recall of Peter Pan peanut butter and all Great Value peanut butter beginning with code 2111 back to October 2004, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). That includes peanut butter toppings.

The FDA is continuing its investigation into salmonella contamination linked to the peanut butter. Anyone who purchased any of the products since October 2004 should throw them away.

Symptoms of food-borne illness caused by salmonella include fever, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. In persons with poor underlying health or weakened immune systems, salmonella can cause life-threatening infections or death.

Individuals who have recently eaten peanut-butter products from these companies and who have experienced any of the above symptoms should contact their doctor or health-care provider immediately and report the illnesses to their state or local health authorities.

The FDA says it is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and with states and local officials, to identify how the contamination occurred in order to prevent similar food-borne illness outbreaks.