From smooth to chunky spread, an array of Jif’s peanut butter products are coming down from both US and Canadian shelves following the J. M. Smucker Co.’s decision to voluntarily recall a range of spreads linked to a multi-state Salmonella outbreak that has required arterial infections,
“We apologize for the concern this will cause but we have initiated a voluntary recall of select Jif products sold in the U.S. and Canada due to potential salmonella contamination,” read the company website.
The Jif’s classic 16 oz. ‘Creamy Peanut Butter’ is among the variety of sizes and recipes being recalled. The complete recall list can be found in the FDA’s Friday notice.
As of Saturday, May 21, at least 12 states across the US have collectively reported 14 Salmonella-related illnesses–two of which have required hospitalization. The contaminated Jif products have been linked back to the company’s plant in Lexington, Kentucky.
In rare cases, Salmonella can escape into one’s bloodstream, allowing the bacteria to cause more severe illnesses, such as arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urges those operating businesses to not sell or serve any of the recalled Jif brand products. “Wash and sanitize containers and surfaces that may have come in contact with recalled peanut butter,” the federal health agency said.
Due to the two-year shelf life of the product, those storing Jif brand peanut butter are urged to ensure their lot codes, located near the use-by date, are not within the range of 1274425 – 2140425.
The FDA, CDC, state, and local partners are among those probing the multi-state Salmonella outbreak.
“CDC’s review of epidemiological information indicates that five out of five people reported consuming peanut butter and four of the five people specifically reported consuming different varieties of Jif brand peanut butter prior to becoming ill,” the FDA wrote.