Jif Peanut Butter Linked to Salmonella Outbreak
J.M. Smucker issues recall after consumers in 12 states are sickenedBy Lisa L. GillThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Saturday that it was investigating a multi-state salmon...
J.M. Smucker issues recall after consumers in 12 states are sickened
By Lisa L. Gill
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Saturday that it was investigating a multi-state salmonella outbreak linked to Jif Peanut Butter. Fourteen people have become ill and two have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
The illnesses occurred in 12 states: Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. However, the agency said that the outbreak may not be limited to these states, as many cases of salmonella aren’t reported and the products were shipped nationwide. The CDC estimates that for every person with a confirmed case of salmonella, there are about 30 more illnesses that go unreported.
The J.M. Smucker Co. issued a national recall of four dozen of its Jif crunchy and creamy peanut butter products—including low-fat, no sugar, and natural varieties—in many different package sizes. You can find a full list of products on the Food and Drug Administration’s website.
The peanut butters involved in the recall have lot codes from 1274425 to 2140425, and only if the first seven digits end with 425 (manufactured at J.M. Smucker’s Lexington, Ky., facility). The lot code is located on the package, near the “best if used by” date. The J.M. Smucker Co. did not immediately respond to Consumer Reports’ request for comment.
Lot codes from 127445 to 2140425 are part of the recall. You can find the lot code near the "best if used by" date on the package.
Source: FDA
The CDC noted that peanut butter has a long shelf life and advised consumers to check any Jif product they may have on hand to make sure it isn’t part of the recall.
If you have any of the recalled products in your refrigerator or kitchen cabinets, throw it away.
"Peanuts and peanut butter can become contaminated with salmonella from the environment, or during the production process from the machinery," says James E. Rogers, Ph.D., director of food safety research and testing at Consumer Reports. “Foods contaminated with salmonella look and smell normal. That’s why it is important to pay attention to recalls so you can prevent infection.”
Risks of Salmonella
Symptoms of salmonella—diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps—can appear between 12 and 72 hours after being infected, according to the CDC. More severe symptoms can include a high fever, aches, headaches, lethargy, a rash, blood in the urine or stool.In some cases a salmonella infection may become fatal. Every year, about 420 die from an acute salmonella infection.
If you think you’ve been sickened by a recalled Jif product, you can report your illness to an FDA complaint coordinator in your state or region.
The Details
Products recalled: A variety of types and package sizes of Jif Peanut Butter with lot codes 1274425 to 2140425. You can find the lot code near the "best if used by" date.The problem: The peanut butter may be contaminated with salmonella.
The fix: Check Jif packages for the information above before purchasing. If you have any of this peanut butter in your refrigerator or cabinets, do not eat it. Throw it away.
How to contact the manufacturer: Consumers with questions can contact J. M. Smucker Co. at 800-828-9980
