Peanut butter recall expands to 76 products on salmonella fears
The peanut butter recall that started this past weekend with a salmonella-linked product sold at Trader Joe’s has now been expanded to dozens of peanut, cashew and almond butters, according to producer Sunland Inc.
The New Mexico-based company manufactured and packaged the Trader Joe’s Creamy Salted Valencia Peanut Butter that regulators have since connected to 29 salmonella illnesses in 18 states, including California.
Sunland this week said its voluntary recall now also includes 76 varieties of almond butter, peanut butter, cashew butter, tahini and roasted blanched peanut products. Aside from the Trader Joe’s peanut butter, none of the other products have been linked to illnesses.
Only goods produced between May 1 and Sept. 24 are affected. The expanded recall is “a precautionary step,” Sunland said in a statement.
The items were available online and at large supermarket chains under brands such as Sprouts, Harry & David and Safeway’s Open Nature. Fresh & Easy issued its own statement this week, saying it was pulling several almond and peanut butters off shelves “out of an abundance of caution.”
Victims took ill between June 11 and Sept. 2, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Salmonella can cause serious and occasionally fatal infections in vulnerable targets such as young children, the elderly and more. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain and vomiting.
“There is nothing more important to us than the health and safety of our customers, particularly the many families who enjoy our peanut butter everyday,” said Jimmie Shearer, Sunland’s chief executive, in a statement. “If you purchased these products, do not eat them. Please return the product to your supermarket for a full refund or dispose of it.”
Other Sunland products are safe, the company said.
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