Sunland, Inc., the manufacturer of Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter, has recalled all of its Almond Butter and Peanut Butter products manufactured between May 1, 2012 and September 24, 2012.
The recall was initiated, according to the company’s news release, after Sunland learned of the link between its product and 29 cases of Salmonella Bredeney illnesses in 18 states.
Jimmie Shearer, President and CEO of Sunland, Inc. issued the following statement:
“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. 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 Butter and Peanut Butter 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 following brands of Peanut Butter and Almond butter are affected: Archer Farms, Earth Balance, fresh & easy, heinen’s, Joseph’s, Natural Value, Naturally More, Open Nature, Peanut Power, Serious Food, Snaclite, Sprouts Farmers Market, Sprout’s, Sunland, and Trader Joe’s. Read the news release, which includes a complete list of recalled products.
Illnesses caused by the outbreak strain of Salmonella Bredeney have been documented in the following nineteen states, although not all of the cases are firmly linked to consumption of peanut butter. This information was amassed from the Sunland news release, alerts issued by various states, and information provided to eFoodAlert by email.
- Arizona
- California – 2 cases
- Connecticut – 3 cases
- Illinois – 1 case in McLean County with onset in August
- Louisiana
- Maryland – 1 case. A child under 18 years old, who was not hospitalized and who has recovered
- Massachusetts – 3 cases
- Michigan
- Minnesota – 1 case
- Missouri
- New York – 1 case in New York City
- North Carolina – 1 case (a child)
- Pennsylvania – 2 cases
- Nevada – 1 case in Clark County
- New Jersey
- Rhode Island – 1 case
- Texas – 4 cases
- Virginia
- Washington – 2 cases, both male; a child (under 12 years old) from Thurston County and a teen (under 18 years old) from Spokane County
CDC reported on September 22nd that the earliest illness onset date for this outbreak was June 11, 2012; the most recent was September 2nd. Three-fourths (76%) of the outbreak victims are children under 18 years old; two-thirds are male. Four people have been hospitalized.
CDC offers the following Advice to Consumers, Retailers and Others
Contaminated Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter may make people sick.
- Based on available information, CDC recommends that consumers do not eat recalled Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter made with Sea Salt and dispose of any remaining jars of this peanut butter product in the home or return the jars to any Trader Joe’s grocery store.
- This is especially important for children under the age of 5 years, older adults, and people with weak immune systems.
- Persons who think they might have become ill from eating possibly contaminated Trader Joe’s peanut butter should consult their health care providers.
- Symptoms include:
- Diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection.
- The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most persons recover without treatment.
- See Signs and Symptoms for more information.
Contaminated Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter may still be in consumers’ homes or available for sale on the internet.
- Consumers who recently purchased recalled Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter made with Sea Salt are advised not to eat it and dispose of any remaining jars of this peanut butter or return the jars to the any Trader Joe’s grocery store.
- Trader Joe’s has encouraged consumers to return the product to any Trader Joe’s grocery store for a full refund.
- Retailers and food service operators should not sell or serve recalled Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter made with Sea Salt.
- This product may still be available for sale from internet retailers.
What to do if you have Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter in your home:
- Dispose of the product immediately or return it to any Trader Joe’s grocery store.
- Even if some of the peanut butter has been eaten without anyone becoming ill, the rest of the peanut butter should be disposed of or returned.
- If consumers choose to discard Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter made with Sea Salt, the product should be disposed of in a closed plastic bag and placed in a sealed trash can. This will prevent people or animals from eating it.
Four Edmontonians became ill with E. coli O157:H7 after consuming Kirkland brand Strip Loin Grilling Steaks purchased from Costco Wholesale store #156 in Edmonton, Alberta. The beef originated from XL Foods processing plant in Brooks, Alberta.
The steaks implicated in the four illnesses were identified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency as Strip Loin Grilling Steak prepared and sold in variable weight packages from Costco Wholesale store #156, located at 13650, 50th street, Edmonton, Alberta, bearing Packed On dates 12/SE/04, 12/SE/05, 12/SE/06 or 12/SE/07. At the moment, only steaks from this one Costco store are affected.
The link between this outbreak and the peanut butter is based on patient interviews. Fourteen out of fourteen outbreak victims who were interviewed reported shopping at Trader Joe’s across the USA; twelve of the 14 (86%) reported eating Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter made with Sea Salt in the week before becoming ill.
