Possible Salmonella tainted products in local school fundraisers

Sacramento, Calif.-– Peanut butter cookies and cookie dough that have been distributed by fundraisers at 162 public and private schools in California are the latest addition to a national recall of products potentially tainted with a strain of Salmonella, a harmful bacteria. The products were produced by Dough-To-Go, Inc., of Santa Clara and distributed in 30 California counties.

Today, California’s leading public health physician, Dr. Mark Horton, who is the director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), warned consumers not to eat or handle the Dough-To-Go product.

Dough-To-Go produced frozen peanut butter cookies and frozen peanut butter cookie dough under the Dough-To-Go and Jane Dough labels. The affected products were sold by fundraiser groups between August of 2008 and January 16 of this year.

Possibly Affected Local Schools

Cordova High School, Rancho Cordova
Franklin High School, Elk Grove
Genevieve Didion Elementary, Sacramento
Laguna Creek High School, Elk Grove
Larchmont Elementary, North Highlands
Orchard School, Rio Linda
Shalom School, Sacramento
St. Robert School, Sacramento
Del Oro High School, Loomis
Olive Grove School, Antelope
Sierra Gardens, Roseville
Spring View Middle School, Rocklin
Valley Springs Church, Roseville
Whitney High School, Rocklin

Consumers can also check product directly by examining the lot codes printed on the side of the product’s box. The following lot codes have been recalled:

CBB-335-40 (12 cookies per case)
CBB-330-20 (72 cookies per case)
CBR-190-20 (80 cookies per case)
CBR-330-20 (80 cookies per case)
CBR-330-12 (144 cookies per case)
CBR-190-18 (18 pound pail)
CBR-320-18 (18 pound pail)
FUN-001-0U (36 cookies per case)
FUN-320-0O (36 cookies per case)
CMB-PBU-30 (24 cookies per case)

More than 400 products containing peanut butter or peanut butter paste have been recalled nationwide. The recalls stem from potentially contaminated peanut butter produced at the Blakely, Georgia plant of Peanut Corporation of America. The recalled peanut butter may have been used as an ingredient in Dough-To-Go frozen peanut butter cookie products.

No illnesses associated with Dough-To-Go peanut butter cookie dough have been reported.  In addition, Dr. Horton said, it’s important to remember that peanut butter sold in retail stores is not linked to the outbreak.

Salmonella bacteria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps. Consumers with the above symptoms should consult their physician.

The information in this news release is based on the most current information available, indicating that products may be contaminated with Salmonella. Updates, as necessary, will be posted on the CDPH Web site.