Beijing inspectors are working to recall contaminated peanut butter imported from the United States, said sources with the city's food safety watchdog.

The Beijing News newspaper reported Sunday that Beijing's health and inspection and quarantine departments have asked dealers of the peanut butter to immediately recall 156 cases of the products that have been sold, and seal off those that are still in their warehouses.

China's Ministry of Health (MOH) was notified by the World Health Organization (WHO) that the U.S.-made peanut butter branded "Peter Pan" and "Great Value" may be contaminated with Salmonella and may have a possible link to the food borne illness salmonella which has broken out in the United States.

Beijing's food safety office has required the city's inspection and quarantine, health, industrial and commercial, and quality control departments to make a thorough examination on the peanut butter products in the city.

The food safety watchdog warns customers not to buy the "Peter Pan" and "Great Value" peanut butter produced after May 2006 with product code 2111 printed on the lid, and suggests they report to related government agencies if any of such products were found. China imported three batches of the two peanut butter brands in September and December of 2006 and January of 2007, totaling 742 cases.

(Xinhua News Agency February 25, 2007)