The Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control, and other officials are working together to quickly solve the mysterious contamination of two brands of peanut butter, “Peter Pan” and, “Great Value,” which are produced by ConAgra based in Georgia.

According to the FDA, hundreds of people, both young and old, have already been affected since the outbreak of salmonella contaminated peanut butter began as far back as August of last year. In their report to the FDA on Feb. 13, the CDC and state and local health agencies confirmed 288 cases of salmonella illnesses in 39 states. Every case that was reported involved the “Peter Pan” brand.

Just recently, on Feb. 16, the Florida Department of Health confirmed several cases of salmonella poisoning in Alachua,

Hillsborough, and Pasco counties, according to Fernando Senra, Spokesperson for the Florida Department of Health.

Mayo Thriftway, in response to the FDA warning, temporarily removed all of its jars of peanut butter, including the “Peter Pan” brand last week. Chuck Spradling, Jr., stated that anyone who has purchased peanut butter from his store can return it and receive a refund. Furthermore, according to Spradling, jars of peanut butter will not return to the shelves until Mayo Thrfitway has been given notification that consumers can safely eat both brands of peanut butter.

Local health officials, as well as the FDA, strongly encourage everyone to get rid of all “Peter Pan” and “Great Value” peanut butter jars that have “2111” on the lid. This number is the first four digits of the product code of affected peanut butter jars, according to the FDA.

Symptoms from the salmonella illness can last for several days and can vary from person to person, according to Todd Harris, Public Information Officer for the Lafayette County Health Department. “The symptoms associated with salmonella in most people are the development of diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts four to seven days,” Harris said.

Harris further states that salmonella infections will sometimes end in five to seven days, and, therefore, treatment is not necessary. However, in other cases, people who suffer from severe diarrhea will be treated with intravenous fluids in order to rehydrate them, according to Harris.

For additional information on salmonella, or if you think you might be affected, contact Harris or Robin Pearson at the Lafayette County Health Department at 294-1321.

Be sure to watch the Mayo Free Press for continued updates to this developing story.