WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 (UPI) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says the list of companies recalling possibly contaminated products containing peanuts is still growing.
The FDA said the Peanut Corp. of America, which filed for bankruptcy last week, supplied the peanuts, peanut butter and peanut paste used in the recalled products that are believed to be linked to more than 500 salmonella-related illnesses and nine deaths.
Among the latest recalls were:
--The Heavenly Candy Co.: Peanut Bliss-brand and Heavenly Candy's-brand peanut bliss candy sold nationally.
--Arbonne International LLC: Certain lots of Arbonne Figure 8-brand peanut butter chews sold across the United States and Canada.
--Whole Foods Markets: Self-serve grinder and bulk peanut butter, honey roasted peanut butter and chocolate peanut butter sold prior to Feb. 1 in Southern California, Las Vegas, Arizona and Hawaii.
The FDA said major brands of peanut butter sold in jars aren't affected by the recalls.
Officials said salmonella bacteria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy people infected with salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with salmonella can result in the organism invading the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses.
A list of all companies recalling peanut products is available at http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/salmonellatyph/recalls.html.
