January 14/Atlanta/UPI -- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said preliminary evidence suggests peanut butter may be the source of a Salmonella outbreak.

As of January 12, 410 people infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella Typhimurium had been reported from 43 states. The infection may have contributed to three deaths, the report said.

Peanut Corp. of America, which makes peanut butter for bulk distribution to institutions, foodservice industries and private label food companies, recalled peanut butter produced in its Blakely, Ga., processing facility last week after the Minnesota Department of Agriculture Laboratory found Salmonella Typhimurium in an open 5-pound container of King Nut brand creamy peanut butter.

The peanut butter is also sold under the brand name Parnell's Pride.

The Food and Drug Administration said common brands of peanut butter sold in grocery stores do not appear to be associated with the outbreak.

From the January 19, 2009, Prepared Foods E-dition