Wright-Patterson Medical Center monitors food recalls Published Feb. 2, 2009 By Tech. Sgt. Antoinette Volious 88th Medical Group WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- The recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration directed recall of several several food items containing peanut butter due to possible Salmonella contamination put the 88th Medical Group's Public Health Flight here into action. The Public Health Flight monitors food recalls on a daily basis to ensure potentially unsafe items are not provided to the base population. Public health food recalls occur when requested by the FDA, through FDA statutory authority, or on a firm's own initiative. When Public Health receives confirmation of a recalled food item in stock at a facility, appropriate actions are taken according to the disposition specified in the food recall. Salmonella is a bacteria and the most common source of food poisoning in the U.S., causing diarrhea, cramping and fever. The Commissary, base restaurants, and other base facilities have removed potentially contaminated foods from shelves and inventory. These items will not be restocked until the FDA deems them safe for human consumption. The food is either discarded or placed on medical hold until it is deemed safe. Food recalls and safety alerts can be monitored at: http://www.fda.gov/opacom /7alerts.html. Wright-Patterson personnel with additional questions concerning various causes of food-related illness and its prevention may contact Public Health at (937) 255-2515. The safety of your health is our concern as we assist you in remaining fit to fight and fit for life.