Fred Meyer, QFC recall ice cream

MILWAUKEE — Fred Meyer and QFC have recalled Private Selection Peanut Butter Passion Ice Cream sold in select stores in Washington and elsewhere in the West, because it might be contaminated with salmonella.

The move comes as food companies and retailers continue to recall products with peanut butter in them because of suspicion of contamination amid a salmonella outbreak that has killed at least six people and sickened more than 470 others in 43 states.

Cincinnati-based Kroger said the product was sold at Fred Meyer, QFC, Fry's, King Scoopers, and Smith's in 11 states. In addition to Washington, the ice cream was sold in Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Wyoming.

The company said the ice cream was not sold in its namesake Kroger stores. No illnesses have been reported.

Kellogg said Monday federal authorities have confirmed that salmonella was found in a single package of its Austin Quality Foods Toasty Crackers with Peanut Butter, as two grocers and General Mills recalled some products because of the scare.

Kellogg recalled 16 products last week because of the possibility of salmonella contamination.

The recall by Kellogg, the world's largest cereal maker, affected 7 million cases of its products, including Keebler Soft Batch Homestyle Peanut Butter Cookies, Famous Amos Peanut Butter Cookies and Keebler Cheese & Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers.

Also Monday, Midwestern grocer and retailer Meijer said it was recalling two types of crackers and two ice creams because of the possibility of salmonella contamination: Meijer's Cheese and Peanut Butter and Toasty Peanut Butter sandwich crackers, and Peanut Butter and Jelly and Peanut Butter Cup ice cream.

Also Monday, General Mills said it was recalling two flavors of snack bars: LARABAR Peanut Butter Cookie snack bars and JamFrakas Peanut Butter Blisscrisp snack bars. The company said the recall affected 15,000 cases and no illnesses have been reported.

On Saturday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had advised consumers to avoid eating cookies, cakes, ice cream and other foods containing peanut butter until health officials learn more about the contamination.

Most peanut butter sold in jars at supermarkets appears to be safe, FDA officials said.

Officials have been focusing on peanut paste and peanut butter made at Peanut Corp. of America's plant in Blakely, Ga.

On Sunday, Peanut Corp. expanded its own recall to all peanut butter and peanut paste from the Blakely plant since July 1. Its peanut butter is not sold directly to consumers but it is distributed to institutions and food companies. The peanut paste, made from roasted peanuts, is an ingredient in cookies, cakes and other products sold to consumers.

Salmonella, a bacteria, is a common cause of U.S. food poisoning, causing diarrhea, cramping and fever.

Also Monday, Abbott Nutrition recalled three products: ZonePerfect Chocolate Peanut Butter bars, ZonePerfect Peanut Toffee bars and NutriPals Peanut Butter Chocolate nutrition bars.