Spring Break
Scare not changing many students' peanut-eating ways
DALLAS DUNCAN
Issue date: 4/3/09 Section: News
One month after a national salmonella scare, some University students have hardly changed their peanut-eating habits.
The Peanut Corporation of America plant in Blakely, Ga., was associated with a salmonella outbreak that sickened hundreds and caused five known deaths across the United States that were all related to peanut paste and peanut butter products processed and sold by the facility. The scare prompted thousands of peanut butter product recalls.
Katie Hayes, a sophomore from Fort Valley, wrote in an e-mail interview that she "went out and bought some Ritz Cracker peanut butter snacks," regardless of the salmonella outbreak. She said the recalls did not scare her because she is "not really a daily peanut butter eater."
As a food science major, Hayes said she realized "that it was a serious situation and I probably should have looked more into it."
But Rebekah Bowen was more cautious.
"When I learned about the recalls, I threw away all of the Austin peanut butter crackers that I had stashed away in my desk, which seemed really wasteful, but I decided it was better to be safe than to get sick later," said Bowen, a junior from Garfield.
Bowen said she thinks people who threw away all their peanut butter might have taken "their so-called safety measures too far."
"It was clearly stated in several news broadcasts and reports that the salmonella outbreak only affected peanut butter paste that is used in crackers and other more prepared products," she said. Sophomore Austin Suggs, from Tifton, said he thought "the media did a good job of informing the public" about the salmonella outbreak, but "the media tends to turn things like this into more of a scare than it should be."
One student wasn't taking any chances when she heard about the recalls.
"My roommates and I threw away all of our peanut butter and refused to buy more until the situation was cleared up," said Emily Mixson, a sophomore from Sylvania.
The Peanut Corporation of America plant in Blakely, Ga., was associated with a salmonella outbreak that sickened hundreds and caused five known deaths across the United States that were all related to peanut paste and peanut butter products processed and sold by the facility. The scare prompted thousands of peanut butter product recalls.
Katie Hayes, a sophomore from Fort Valley, wrote in an e-mail interview that she "went out and bought some Ritz Cracker peanut butter snacks," regardless of the salmonella outbreak. She said the recalls did not scare her because she is "not really a daily peanut butter eater."
As a food science major, Hayes said she realized "that it was a serious situation and I probably should have looked more into it."
But Rebekah Bowen was more cautious.
"When I learned about the recalls, I threw away all of the Austin peanut butter crackers that I had stashed away in my desk, which seemed really wasteful, but I decided it was better to be safe than to get sick later," said Bowen, a junior from Garfield.
Bowen said she thinks people who threw away all their peanut butter might have taken "their so-called safety measures too far."
"It was clearly stated in several news broadcasts and reports that the salmonella outbreak only affected peanut butter paste that is used in crackers and other more prepared products," she said. Sophomore Austin Suggs, from Tifton, said he thought "the media did a good job of informing the public" about the salmonella outbreak, but "the media tends to turn things like this into more of a scare than it should be."
One student wasn't taking any chances when she heard about the recalls.
"My roommates and I threw away all of our peanut butter and refused to buy more until the situation was cleared up," said Emily Mixson, a sophomore from Sylvania.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Blakely Alum
posted 4/03/09 @ 9:17 AM EST
As a Blakely native, and a UGA alum, the coverage of the outbreak hits home in many ways... as part of that, and a promotion of the Georgia peanut, its important to note, despite the national media's focus on the Blakely plant,two things:
1. (Continued…)
ljoycew
posted 4/08/09 @ 8:17 PM EST
We not only should but MUST ban all peanuts and peanut products -- not only from schools but from everywhere. If only one child's death is prevented, isn't it worth it? Please read my essay on this pressing problem at http://www. (Continued…)
Post a Comment