The truth behind peanut and almond butter recall

Many of us are addicted to the incredibly delicious and smooth nut butters. These are loaded with nutrients and at the same time help in improving the lipid profile (the balance of healthy and unhealthy fats in our blood stream). This is the reason why these butters, especially the ones obtained from almond and peanut, have gained tremendous popularity and found an important place on our kitchen shelves.

Because of the huge demand for these products, many food companies have come up with their specific brands. But recently one of the companies, NSpired Natural Foods Inc., recalled its popular brands of almond and peanut butter following a threat of possible salmonella contamination.

According to the reports from the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S., four persons have acquired this infection after consuming peanut or almond butter manufactured at the Ashland facility of the company in question.

The establishment has advertised the recall and requested the consumers and retailers to return the jars bought by them against a refund. The object behind the prompt action and the entire buzz is the bacterium under spotlight, Salmonella.

Salmonella is a life threatening bacteria and its effects are more sever among infants, children, elderly and people with compromised immunity.  The characteristic symptoms of salmonella infection include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, fever and headache. Many people with the infection also complain of blood in stools. These symptoms generally precipitate within 24 - 48 hours of exposure to the bacterium and may last for a week. In certain cases it may take up to several months before the bowels return to its normal function.

Causes of infection:

1. Infected raw meat, poultry and seafood from salmonella contaminated water.
2. Raw eggs, obtained from the contaminated birds.
3. Fruits and vegetables produced or washed with contaminated water.

Many foods get infected when prepared by people who take personal hygiene casually and do not wash hands after using toilets and changing diapers.  Children may get infected when they touch the contaminated surfaces or infected pets and then put their fingers in their mouth.

What can be done to prevent the infection outbreak?

Safe cooking practices and observing high standards of personal hygiene combined with making safe choices at the grocery store helps in controlling the infection from spreading.  Observing the following precautions would help further -

• Always wash your hands before beginning to prepare food
• Avoid eating raw eggs or foods containing raw eggs, especially when there is an existing threat of infection.
• Completely avoid raw milk. Milk should always be boiled / pasteurized before consumption.
• Always use properly cooked meats and other non-vegetarian foods.  It is important to ensure that the non-vegetarian foods reach a minimum temperature of 150 ºF to 160ºF during cooking.  Micro waved foods may not reach such high internal temperatures and should therefore be avoided.
• Avoid cross contamination, i.e. prevent the raw non vegetarian foods from coming in contact with the other foods placed in the kitchen.
• Wash your hands with soap and hot water properly after handling raw meats or animal excreta.
• Keep the pets, especially birds and reptiles, away from the kitchen, cooking and dining area.
• Always wash your hands before eating and after using the bathroom.