Close to 100 different types of peanut, almond and cashew butters are being recalled due to a risk of salmonella contamination.
The voluntary recall started after Sunland Inc. learned that 29 people reported salmonella illnesses in 18 states—including Maryland—between June 11 and Sept. 2, according to a report issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Sunland Inc, which manufactures Trader Joe's brand peanut butter, began voluntarily recalling its Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter made with sea salt last week after the report came out.
The company has now expanded the list of potentially contaminated products to include certain Archer Farms, Sunland, Open Nature, Natural Value, Serious Food and Sprout's products. The recall has also expanded to include certain tahini and roasted peanut products.
"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," sand Jimmie Shearer, President and CEO of Sunland, Inc. in a press release.
"While FDA, CDC, and state health agencies investigate to confirm the cause of illnesses reported, as a precautionary step, we have decided to voluntarily recall our almond, peanut and cashew butters, tahini and roasted blanched peanut products manufactured between May 1, 2012 and September 24, 2012. If you purchased these products, do not eat them. Please return the product to your supermarket for a full refund or dispose of it."
The full list of recalled items can be found by viewing the PDF attached to this article.
So far there has been one confirmed case of salmonella in a Maryland child, who was not hospitalized and has recovered, according to a Maryland Health Department release. People in other states have been hospitalized as a result of eating the peanut butter.
Symptoms of salmonella infection include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps six to 72 hours after infection, according to the Maryland Health Department. The illness lasts two to seven days and most people recover without the need for medical treatment.
Individuals with these symptoms who have consumed some of the recalled products should consult their health care provider.
In some cases, salmonella can spread from the intestines into the bloodstream causing serious illness and death unless the person is promptly treated with antibiotics.
