U.S. Embassy Luanda
Warden Message
March 19, 2007

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has issued a warning on a Salmonella contaminated food product that has been exported to Angola.  Consumers are advised not to eat any Peter Pan Peanut Butter or Great Value Peanut Butter with product code 2111.  In addition, the facility that produces these brands of peanut butter also provides bulk peanut butter for the following products, which should also not be eaten:  Sonic Brand Ready-to-Use Peanut Butter Topping, Carvel Peanut Butter Topping, and J. Hungerford Smith Peanut Butter Dessert Topping. 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the manufacturer of the implicated peanut butter products are cooperating on a recall of all suspect products.  For more information about the recall see:  http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01574.html.

The Salmonella bacteria in the contaminated peanut butter is Salmonella serotype Tennessee, a rare type of Salmonella.  Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12-72 hours after infection.  The illness usually lasts 4-7 days, and most persons recover without treatment.  However, in some persons the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized.  The elderly, infants and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.  If you suspect you may have been infected, you should consult your physician.

Americans living or traveling in Angola are encouraged to register their presence with the U.S. Embassy's consular section through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/home.asp, and to also review the Embassy's Internet website at http://usembassy.state.gov/angola for the latest travel and security information within Angola.  Americans without Internet access may register directly at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.  Registration will permit the consular section to contact a registered individual in case of an emergency.

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings can be found. 

Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The U.S. consular section is located at the U.S. Embassy, Rua Houari Boumedienne, 32, tel. (244) 222-641-000, (244) 222-445-481, 222-445-727, 222-446-096; fax (244) 222-641-259. 

Normal Embassy business hours are Monday – Thursday, 0800 – 1800 hrs. and Friday 0800 – 1200.  For after hours emergencies, contact the Embassy’s duty officer at (244) 923-404-209.