STURGIS - The nationwide recall of tainted peanut products has not affected the Meade School District so far.

Joe Schaffer, food service director for the Sturgis-based district, said there have been almost 1,900 recalls nationally concerning peanut products. They have been linked to an outbreak of salmonella poisoning, which is a sometimes fatal food-borne illness.

"We have tried to keep things peanut-free in the district because we do have peanut allergies" among students and staff, Schaffer said. He said that the district has not had any products recalled, including those bought locally or those provided through the government's food commodity program.

Schaffer receives recall information by e-mail from the state. He said he forwards the alerts to building administrators, who send it to certified staff.

"This makes everyone aware to watch for things like birthday parties or conducting food-related activities within the classroom," Schaffer said.

South Dakota Department of Health epidemiologist Lon Kightlinger said of the 600 peanut illnesses reportedly nationally, four were South Dakota children, including two in the West River area. Kightlinger said he could not disclose the locations because of family privacy issues.

"It's bad nationally because it's so far-reaching," Kightlinger said. He said that the Rapid City area had a salmonella outbreak about a year and a half ago that had more cases.

Kightlinger encourages people with peanut products to go online and see if that product is on the recall list. He said information is available on the Department of Health's Web site. People should destroy the product if it is on the list, he said.