State Health Department Alerts Illinoisans of Peanut Butter Recall

Multistate Salmonella outbreak sickens 30

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is warning residents not to eat Trader Joe’s Creamy Salted Valencia Peanut Butter or peanut butter and other products containing nuts and seeds from Sunland, Inc. Both companies issued voluntary recalls after preliminary results from a multistate outbreak investigation of Salmonella Bredeney indicated these products may be a source of this outbreak.

The IDPH is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the investigation of this outbreak, which has sickened 30 people in 19 states, including one case in central Illinois.

People ranging in age from 1 year to 77 years, reported first becoming ill from June 11, 2012 to September 11, 2012. Approximately 63 percent of people who have become sick are children under the age of 10. Four people have been hospitalized and there have been no deaths reported.

Most people infected with Salmonella bacteria develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment. However, for some people, diarrhea may be so severe that the person needs to be hospitalized. Salmonella diarrhea can occasionally lead other serious infections, and may require antibiotic treatment. Older adults or the elderly, infants and people with impaired immune systems are at greater risk of severe illness from Salmonella infection.

“It is important to check your shelves at home and make sure to get rid of any of the recalled peanut butter or other products,” said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck. “If you have eaten one of these products and are feeling ill, contact your doctor or local health care provider.”

The recalled Creamy Salted Valencia Peanut Butter was distributed to Trader Joe’s stores nationwide and has been pulled from the shelves. The product comes in a 16 ounce, plastic jar with an expiration date of stamped below the lid. All code dates are included in this recall—up to and including 26JUL13 (July 26, 2013). Customers with questions may contact Trader Joe’s Customer Relations at 626-599-3817, Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific Time. http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm320579.htm

Sunland Inc. recalled various varieties of nut and peanut butter products. A list of recalled products, including UPC codes and best-if-used-by dates, can be found at http://www.sunlandinc.com/788/html/pdfs/SunlandRecall.pdf. Consumers can contact the company at 1-866-837-1018, available 24 hours a day, for information on the recall.

The Illinois Department of Public Health recommends people with any of the recalled products do not eat them and throw away any remaining jars or return them to the place of purchase.