The Knox County Health Department says they have had no peanut butter Salmonella cases to date and Knox County is not directly part of the investigation at this time. They have received several inquires and issued the following statement from a Tennessee Department of Health epidemiologist...

Tennessee is reporting a total of 9 cases of Salmonella Typhimurium associated with the ongoing investigation and recall of peanut butter and peanut paste containing products from Peanut Corporation of America.

Tennessee cases are from the following counties: Hamilton (2 cases), 1 each from Sumner, Roane, Greene, Bedford, Washington, McMinn, and Claiborne.

CDC is updating the outbreak and consumer guidance daily at:

http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/typhimurium/.

The CDC site includes a link to a FDA searchable list of products which have been recalled.

Messages for Tennessee residents are consistent with the national recommendations for consumers:

• Do not eat products that have been recalled and throw them away in a manner that prevents others from eating them. These products include Austin and Keebler brand peanut butter crackers and King Nut brand peanut butter produced since July 1, 2008. (FDA's web site has recalled lot numbers).

• Postpone eating other peanut butter containing products (such as cookies, crackers, cereal, candy and ice cream) until more information becomes available about which brands may be affected.

• Use FDA's online database to check if foods you're concerned about are on the recall list.

• Call the consumer hotline phone number that may be on any product packaging you have to get information directly from the product manufacturer.

• Persons who think they may have become ill from eating peanut butter are advised to consult their health care providers.

We fully anticipate that more products will be added to the large list of recalled products. Tennessee State and Local Health Departments are continuing to participate in the national investigation.