Health officials: Check peanut butter products

Idaho health officials are asking residents to check for peanut butter crackers and other products in the wake of a nationwide salmonella outbreak. Food recalls now apply to more than 350 products, including Austin’s and Keebler brand peanut butter crackers. Health officials say such products have a long shelf life and should be checked and perhaps discarded. Thirteen people from Idaho have had salmonella, including one man older than 50 who died in the southeast part of the state. Across the country there have been 500 infections and six deaths. New cases of salmonella poisoning appear to be slowing. Officials have said King Nut Peanut Butter, sold in bulk to institutions such as prisons, schools and nursing homes, as well as food manufacturers, is at the center of the salmonella outbreak. Peanut butter purchased in jars from grocery stores is considered safe to eat. Most people infected with salmonella develop diarrhea, a fever and abdominal cramps within 12 to 72 hours of infections and lasts up to week. It is considered most dangerous to infants, the elderly and people with impaired immune systems.