Once again, peanut butter is in the news for all the wrong reasons – as opposed to all the right reasons it is usually in the news.
For those who have been living in a cave, a salmonella outbreak has led to the recall of nearly every product containing peanuts – peanut butter, peanut paste and Styrofoam packing peanuts.
Several news stories have suggested that the salmonella found in some products may be traced to animal feces, particularly bird feces. And while I know what you’re thinking, Hey, at least they’re not charging us extra, the thought of bird crap in my food is a bit unsettling.
While every local news outlet is all over the story, teasing us with graphics of dead people stacked in piles outside peanut butter factories, they one question they seem to be glossing over is the one which seems to be right on the tip of my tongue…
How the hell does bird feces get into peanut butter?!
Well, this Scientific American article sheds some light on the question.
Feces from some animal is a strong possibility. A leak in the roof, for example, caused one of the early outbreaks. How salmonella got into the water that was on the roof, no one knows for sure. Maybe birds, for instance, which accumulate around peanut butter processing plants.
Now companies are running scared trying to ensure their products are safe and more importantly, that consumers believe the products to be safe. Several companies are stressing that salmonella has not been found in regular peanut butter jars that most people have in their homes. Not so lucky if you happen to buy your peanut butter in industrial-sized containers like I do.
In 2007, a salmonella outbreak was traced to Peter Pan peanut butter. Following a recall, the product’s maker, ConAgra, brought the peanut butter back to store shelves with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
A 100% satisfaction guarantee? Yeah, that should resolve the whole deadly salmonella thing.
Desperate to avoid bad publicity with the current salmonella outbreak, ConAgra is launching a series of print ads this week to clarify that their product is safe.
* Note: Obviously, that isn’t a real ad.
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lol – nice one!
oh hell no, I’ve just eaten peanut butter on toast!
I kid you not. Never heard of Peter Pan peanut butter though. I don’t think they sell that crap, err sorry, brand over in the UK.
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I’ve obviously been living in a cave. And I made my kids peanut butter sandwiches in their lunches this morning. At least I bought my peanut butter in a case many months ago. Hopefully, it’s safe!
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That poster is hysterical. We’re probably safe. Our peanut butter is so old we have to chisel it onto the bread. We haven’t bought any since the school closed, and we didn’t serve it much then since it seemed that every other kid was allergic to peanuts (it might be the only allergy that’s viral).
Thanks for the shout out. It was a nice surprise ending.
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I like you, Blogger Dad. I saw your comment on Stesha’s blog about coordinating her pregnancy with the NBA and baseball schedules. You’re like Dr. Phil to the blogosphere…keeping it real and keeping it relevant. Very kind of you to impart this advice on the pregnant ladies of the world.
Also, thanks for letting me know that this is NOT the real Peter Pan ad. I was just about to run out to the grocery store and inquire whether they had any of this “shit-free” stuff.
You’re a good time. I’ll be back.
-Francesca
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Chasing Sanity – Thanks!
Tara – Don’t worry. I think regular peanut butter is safe. Besides, you’re in the UK, where bird poop is a popular condiment served with fish and chips, as I understand.
Writer Dad – Thanks. Funny thing about allergies. I’m allergic to people with peanut allergies!
Three Bay B Chicks – Thanks for stopping by and commenting. As for the Dr. Phil comparison, I wish someone would pay me to to say what people ought to do with their lives. I mean, I’m obviously qualified. It was my pleasure to impart some wisdom on the pregnant ladies of the world. You won’t believe how many horror stories I’ve heard of women having the AUDACITY to go into labor during The Super Bowl or other sporting events! And they say women are the more sensitive sex!
LOL on the supermarket idea. I think you should try it anyway!
Job Opening: Bird hunter near peanut butter plant. Yikes.
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Most of the folks in my neighborhood are allergic to peanuts -Legumes! Except my family which eats it by the truck load….but I buy ADAMS because it contains no sugar….or lard…or vegetable fat….but now with kids gone we have too much….on hand
loved your ad….
I bet you could loose 50 pounds if you stopped eating peanut butter?
or nuts? heading over to FittoBlog now..
Another funny – I can truly count on you for a good laugh! thanks
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Where can I get that bird shit-free peanut butter? Is nothing sacred any more?
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