
Jonette of Tampa, FL on Feb. 28, 2007
Approximately two and a half weeks ago, I purchased two jars of Peter Pan Reduced Fat peanut butter at a local store. The code numbers on both are 211163560021010. I had not eaten peanut butter in a few years because of the high fat content, so purchasing the reduced fat version seemed like a smart idea. However, it turned out to be an extremely unfortunate choice. Almost immediately after eating some of the product, I experienced digestive disorders. Thinking it was my body adjusting to peanut butter after a long absence, I ignored the slight distress.
The next day I had some more at lunchtime, and again the distress. It became so bad that one time I had to leave a theater and rush home to the bathroom, as I experienced extreme nausea and diarrhea. Naturally, I thought I had contracted the flu, and decided to eat a simple diet of only bread and peanut butter. The extreme conditions accelerated, and for two weeks it was a chore to go to work; the continual gastric distress became quite annoying, to say the least. My condition was perplexing as I wasn’t suffering any other typical flu symptoms, only the intestinal issues. I attempted to live my life as usual as I have several work-related responsibilities including teaching at the university, but every day was an extreme hardship.
I never knew when uncontrollable illness would strike, so I hurried home every day, avoiding social outings and unnecessary luxuries such as bookstore visits. I even cancelled class one day and turned down an editing contract, as I knew I couldn't focus on these things while I was ill. Consider my shock and horror when I saw a notice on my Internet news site issuing a warning about the peanut butter ConAgra manufactured and I had purchased! I immediately checked the labels on the jar tops, they were a match for the tainted products.
I immediately stopped eating the peanut butter, which I had been eating for over a week, trying to cure my gastric distress; I felt like such a fool for thinking it would help me! All the time it was that very product that was prolonging my illness, making it difficult to walk around the house, go to work, function in a people-oriented atmosphere, and conduct every day activities at home. The salmonella infection is still not gone after three weeks, as I was still experiencing ill effects after eating a regular meal. Finally, after one agonizing month, the symptoms finally cleared up.
The research says that nothing can be done unless the symptoms become so severe one has to be hospitalized. Thus, I am turning to you for your help and consideration. It was exceptionally difficult for me to function in my typical manner, and the physical and mental distress I suffered was due to ConAgra's product contaminants. I trusted that what I bought was safe, bacteria-free, and nutritious; and the safety label on the top of the jar was apparently useless. I will never purchase a product from their company again.