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The Belize Agricultural and Health Authority – BAHA has issued an alert about peanut butter products that could be contaminated with salmonella. The Food and Drug Administration in the United States is recalling peanut butter products which have been linked to salmonella and the death of 6 people and the hospitalization of 474 persons. But the news tonight is that the jar of peanut butter in your kitchen, the bar of peanut butter cups or sandwiches may be tainted with the deadly salmonella. BAHA issued the alert earlier this week and they’ve been visiting major supermarkets to check for products that are probably tainted. BAHA’s Assistant Director of Quarantine Roberto Manzanero says some of the products on the recall list are being sold in Belize.

Roberto Manzanero, Asst. Director of Quarantine – BAHA
“The threat is there. We have products in our supermarkets in Belize. Not all of the products being recalled in America because it is voluntary to recall here in Belize but we do have some. We have some Kellogg products, we have some Keebler’s, Austin’s, and some of those and so our officers have been to some supermarkets and some have already removed products off their shelves.”

Keith Swift,
So people should not buy these products?

Roberto Manzanero,
“It would be best for their safety not to buy it and if they do have it, they should discard it.

We have the Kellogg products, we have Reeses, and these are made by different companies and we do have the peanut butter bars, granola bars, that has peanut butter in them, and diet bars and things like that. And then we have the Keebler and Austin’s products and Kelloggs.”

Keith Swift,
Is it the Reese’s peanut butter cups you’re talking about?

Roberto Manzanero,
“Those would also be included also.”

Keith Swift,
All of them are being recalled or just a specific batch?

Roberto Manzanero,
“Well the batch numbers that are listed in the FDA website, some of the supermarkets have already been advised by their suppliers in the US and they voluntarily have taken it down.”

Today we checked with those major supermarkets. Brodies told us that they have seen the list and they don’t sell any of the products. Xtra House‘s owner Jack Charles told us that he was given the clean bill of health yesterday by BAHA.

Jack Charles, X-Tra House Supermarket
“Yesterday BAHA people were doing spot checks from shop to shop and they visited Xtra House and they did show us the list at that time and we don’t carry those items. And yes we do import some peanut butter from the US, especially Magic Time brand and we can assure that that particular Magic Time brand is not on the list and we can assure that it is a safe product to consume. I will tell my customer probably if BAHA Department would publish the list so the public could be educated and they can look for the product they should buy and what they should avoid.”

We should note that the list continues to expand and more products are being added constantly. The recall is voluntary. Click here for the full watch list.