got Peanut Butter? Where to go from here...

As we continue to hear bad news about peanut butter and peanut butter products, it's tempting to simply stop buying and eating peanut butter, isn't it?

But there are so many good reasons to eat peanut butter, especially these days! It tastes good, it's full of protein, and it's relatively inexpensive.... so....

Here are some tools to help you best understand what to do about what Ingrid Koo, the About.com guide to infectious diseases calls, "peanut paranoia."

• Don't panic. For the vast majority of people, salmonella will cause uncomfortable gastrointestinal symptoms, but very few people die from it. That's NOT a suggestion that you go ahead and eat it. But if you have already ingested it, and you're doing OK, then just make sure you get in touch with your doctor if you begin to get sick.


• Read the Frequently Asked Questions about the peanut butter recall -- from what is or isn't being recalled, to who the responsible parties are. It's important information.


• Do you have peanut items in your home ? If so, pull them out of your cupboard, refrigerator or freezer and line them up. Then, print off a copy of the latest FDA recall lists (both human food and pet food lists), including the list of food items that have already been deemed to be safe, and do an assessment of what's there. Put the safe products back. Then put the unsafe products someplace where your kids can't get them -- or simply throw them away.


• There may be ways to get your money back on the unsafe products. If they are a store brand, take the item back to the store. Most will return your money. If they are a national brand, check out the brand's website to see if they offer instructions. For example, according to the FDA list, Keebler brands have been affected. I found a notation on the Keebler website that says, "Consumers with questions or who would like a refund may contact the Kellogg Consumer Response Center at 877-869-5633."

What about purchasing peanut butter products from now on? Personally, I won't purchase any peanut butter products for awhile, unless they appear on the safe list. In a few weeks, when we no longer hear about the recalls, the I will shop at a store I trust to stay on top of the recalls. I expect there will be signs telling me they are watching the safe lists.

So how can you get your peanut butter fix in the interim? It's time to do-it-yourself! Most of the major brands of peanut butter in a jar have already been determined to be safe (Skippy, Jif, Peter Pan, others). Why not bake your own peanut butter cookies? Or make your own candy?

In the big picture, this peanut butter and salmonella scare has raised awareness about the FDA's shortcomings in a big way. That may be the only good outcome -- but if we are in search of a silver lining, that will be it.

Please stay safe.