Emergency Kits Distributed In Arkansas May Contain Tainted Peanut Butter, FEMA

Main Category: Nutrition / Diet
Also Included In: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses;  Aid / Disasters
Article Date: 09 Feb 2009 - 8:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions

Disaster relief meal kits may contain peanut butter that is linked to the national Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak that has made more than 500 people ill and has been associated with eight deaths since September of last year. The meal kits were distributed in Arkansas as a part of the relief and recovery effort following the ice storm that has left as much as a third of the state without power for more than a week so far.

The kits were distributed in the state by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The agency has issued the following release today:

"As part of the disaster relief effort in Kentucky and Arkansas, commercial meals kits manufactured by Red Cloud Food Services, Inc., under the Standing Rock label, have been provided to disaster survivors in impacted communities, and these kits may contain peanut butter which is part of the precautionary national recall underway in accordance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

"The attached recall memo from Red Cloud Food Services includes further details. The main course of the meals can be of different types. The portion of the meal that may pose the risk are packets of peanut butter.

"People who have received commercial meal kits are asked to inspect the kits in their possession and immediately dispose of any peanut butter packets.

"FEMA continues to maintain close coordination with the states as well as constant vigilance regarding any industry notices to ensure we have not and are not issuing any "meals subject to recall. Individuals with concerns over this or any recalled product should address them with local health officials and/or Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and FDA. More guidance is available at http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/typhimurium/http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/typhimurium/ Consumers without internet access may telephone 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636), 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for product recall information.

"FEMA leads and supports the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation, to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards including natural disasters, acts of terrorism and man-made disasters."

Arkansas Dept. of Health