The salmonella scare regarding peanut butter has put a crimp in our PB&J intake. What's a good alternative?

The stuff in your jar appears to be safe. This most recent salmonella outbreak involves a peanut butter product sold to institutions, such as schools, restaurants and hospitals, not to consumers.

But it also involves peanut butter "paste" used in crackers, cookies, ice cream and candy, so hold off on those until more info becomes available.

As to alternatives, peanut might be the most popular, but it's not the only nut you can spread on bread. Check your grocery or health-food store for a wide variety of nut butters, including almond, cashew, macadamia, pistachio and pecan.

Here are some tips from the Centers for Disease Control for dealing with the recent salmonella outbreak:

* Don't eat recalled products; dispose of them in a manner that prevents others from eating them. These products include Austin and Keebler brand peanut butter crackers and King Nut brand peanut butter produced since July 1, 2008.

* Postpone eating other peanut butter-containing products such as cookies, crackers, cereal, candy and ice cream until more information becomes available about which brands may be affected.

* Use the FDA's online database to check if foods you're concerned about are on the recall list.

* Call the consumer hot line phone number if there's one on any product packaging you have to get information directly from the product manufacturer.

Ryckmanl@RockyMountainNews.com