Lots of Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter with product code on the lid beginning with “2111” have been recalled due to possible Salmonella contamination. The peanut butter is made in Georgia and distributed nationwide. The CDC has linked 288 cases in 39 states, starting in August 2006.
When should you do if your child has eaten some of this peanut butter recently? Probably nothing. Salmonella typically causes mild diarrhea. It is not treated with antibiotics or any other medication because that can actually make it far more serious. If your child has diarrhea for more than 48 hours, or has bloody diarrhea, then she should be checked to see if Salmonella is the cause. Occasionally, Salmonella can invade the bloodstream and cause more serious disease; in these cases, the child appears ill and has a fever. In this case, antibiotics are usually given.
If your child has eaten the peanut butter and has no symptoms or only brief, mild diarrhea, then you have no reason for concern; keep a close eye on your child for other symptoms. If your child has more severe diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, or fever and diarrhea, then talk to your child’s doctor.
