The minister was reacting to news about an outbreak of salmonella poisoning in the United States last week, that has so far been blamed for six deaths.

"The CAC (Consumer Affairs Commission) is working with the Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ) and the Ministry of Health to ensure that our consumers do not unwittingly eat harmful or unsafe products", said Samuda.

The minister has mandated the CAC to monitor the current outbreak in the United States, where 470 persons were affected in 43 states. At least 90 people were hospitalised due to exposure.

Checks

"The BSJ is now in the field checking with suppliers and merchants to ascertain whether we have received any of these products," he said.

The US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) yes-terday advised consumers across that country not to eat products that have peanut butter until they have better information.

According to a USFDA report, recalls followed a request late last week from the agency, for salmonella testing by food companies that may have bought peanut butter or peanut paste from a Georgia facility owned by the Peanut Corporation of America.

In February 2007, the CAC also issued several alerts after US company ConAgra recalled its Peter Pan brand peanut butter, which had been linked to at least 625 salmonella cases in 47 states.

News You Can Use

The following food items have been recalled: