BOSTON -- Five cases of salmonella linked to peanut butter have been reported in Massachusetts, according to the state Department of Public Health.

Department of Public Health spokeswoman Donna Rheaume said Thursday that the cases were reported between November 2006 and January 2007. There have been no serious illnesses.

The Food and Drug Administration has warned consumers not to consume certain jars of Peter Pan or Great Value peanut butter, made by ConAgra in a single facility in Sylvester, Ga. The jars are said to have a product code on the lid or label that begins with No. 2111.

Shaw's and Stop and Shop supermarkets in Massachusetts are pulling Peter Pan peanut butter off store shelves, according to the Boston Globe's Web site.

The largest number of cases were reported in New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Tennessee and Missouri. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said about 20 percent of the 288 infected people have been hospitalized, but none has died.

The maker of the peanut butter asked consumers to return product lids or labels to help it track the outbreak. Consumers should send the company the portion of the jars that contains the code. If the label contains the code, consumers should peel the label off, keeping as much of the number intact as possible.

Send it to:
ConAgra Foods
P.O. Box 3768
Omaha, NE 68103