Peanut farmers suffer with PB recalls

(CNN/WTNH) - The salmonella outbreak, linked to peanut butter products, and all the recalls associated with it, are now having an impact on peanut farmers.

"Contracts are not being offered right now for 2009 production of peanuts. We can't make plans on what we're going to plant on these different fields," Carl Sanders, a peanut farmer, said. "We've got to decide soon, and we still don't have any contracts offered."

The number of deaths from the salmonella outbreak is now at least seven. And nearly 500 people have gotten sick.

Government investigators are scrambling to determine just how widespread the peanut butter contamination might be.

Several other companies have also recalled more than 125 products containing peanut butter. Whole Foods is among the list of companies pulling its brands.

Meantime Costco stores are calling customers alerting them about contaminated products.

For more information on the recalls, visit www.fda.gov.