Tainted peanut butter batch 'not available in UAE'

Dubai: UAE residents have no need to fear consuming peanut butter products here,said an official – even as more US companies recalled their products containing the creamy substance due to salmonella fears.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had warned the public against consuming anything with peanut butter, linked to an outbreak of salmonella, a food-borne bacteria, which has killed six people and sickened 482 in 43 states.A list of companies that have voluntarily withdrawn their peanut butter products include Kellogg, General Mills and Kroger, and Little Debbie maker McKee Foods Corp.

Khalid Mohammad Sharif Al Awadi, head of Food Control Section at Dubai Municipality, told Gulf News that products linked to the food poisoning cases were not available in the UAE.

“We do not have those types of products here. We have checked our imported stock and we do not have any [of the suspect products] listed,'' he said.

He added there have been no reports of any salmonella- caused food poisoning cases in Dubai so far.He also said food safety officials were monitoring the situation and would alert the public if there was any cause for concern.

The salmonella outbreak in the US has been definitively linked to King Nut peanut butter, produced by Peanut Corp. The company provides the peanut butter to long-term healthcare facilities, school cafeterias, restaurants and bakeries, and not through retail sale directly to consumers.

The FDA regardless advised the public to avoid peanut butter products and anything containing peanut butter, including ice cream and crackers, in the event of cross-contamination.Salmonella is the most common cause of food poisoning in Dubai. In 2006, the latest figures available from the Dubai Department of Health and Medical Services (Dohms), showed there were 54 cases of salmonella food poisoning, comprising 0.8 per cent of all reported infectious disease cases.

The food-borne bacteria is spread through human or animal faeces and causes diarrhoea, fever and abdominal cramps. Infants, the elderly and immunecompromised people are especially vulnerable.

• 30,000 sandwiches can be made with one acre of peanuts
• 500 years ago the Aztecs mashed peanuts into paste
• 200 calories is provided in two tablespoons
• 30 essential minerals and vitamins in peanuts
• 2 tablespoons provides more than 10% RDA protein
• Peanuts are technically legumes, not nuts.
• Peanuts are rich in monounsaturated fats, which help reduce the risk of heart disease.
• Peanut butter is a good source of vitamins B3 and E, magnesium, folate, and dietary fiber.
• Peanut butter may provide protection against cardiovascular disease due to high levels of monounsaturated fats