Recall of peanut butter products spreading

At least 125 products containing peanut butter and peanut paste from a Georgia plant have now been recalled because of possible salmonella contamination, with more expected, the Food and Drug Administration announced Wednesday. They include foods found in practically everyone’s pantry, from ice cream to energy bars, chicken satay to dog treats.

A salmonella outbreak tied to products made by the Peanut Corporation of America has sickened at least 486 people in 43 states. Six deaths may be associated with the outbreak.

The latest recalled type of food is peanut-flavor pet treats. On Tuesday, PetSmart recalled seven kinds of its Grreat Choice dog biscuits.

While dogs and cats can get salmonella from eating the treats, the biggest risk is to their owners, says Stephen Sundlof, head of the FDA’s food safety program. People can pick up the bacteria on their hands and transfer it to their own food. It is important, especially for children, to wash your hands after feeding treats, Sundlof says.

In pets, as in people, salmonella can cause lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea and bloody diarrhea. Pets can also be carriers of the bacteria with no visible symptoms, he says.

PCA is a small, family-owned and operated business headquartered in Lynchburg, Va. It has fewer than 50 employees in the Blakely, Ga., plant that tested positive for salmonella.

The fact that more than 125 products have been recalled so far underscores how problems from a relatively small company can have huge ramifications.