Michael Harper for redOrbit.com — Your Universe Online
What started as a Salmonella outbreak related to peanut butter sold at Trader Joe´s has now expanded to include even more products sold in other locations, such as Target and even some online retailers.
According to the Associated Press, Trader Joe´s recalled its brand of peanut butter yesterday after it was found to be linked to 29 salmonella cases in 18 states across America.
Labeled as Creamy Salted Valencia Peanut Butter, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as well as the Centers for Disease Control said last weekend that this product was very likely the source of a recent outbreak.
This morning the recalls have spread as New Mexico-based Sunland Inc., which produces the Valencia Peanut Butter in question, has recalled an additional 76 types of their almond and peanut butter from stores all over the country.
Though each of those with documented cases of salmonella said they purchased their peanut butter from Trader Joe´s, Sunland sells their products under a variety of names in larger stores such as Target. Therefore, the New Mexico company is executing these recalls in cooperation with the FDA in the name of safety. In addition to almond and peanut butter, Sunland Inc is also recalling its cashew butter, roasted blanched peanut butter and Tahini, or sesame butter.
According to the Sunland statement, the recall is limited to products which were manufactured between May 1, 2012 and September 24th, 2012. The company initiated this recall when they had discovered that those 29 people had reported cases of salmonella in Washington, California, Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Missouri, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, North Carolina, Virginia, Connecticut, New Jersey and Maryland. Trader Joe´s Valencia Peanut Butter was produced on some of the same equipment as the other products being recalled today.
“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,” said president and CEO of Sunland Inc, Jimmie Shearer.
“If you purchased these products, do not eat them. Please return the product to your supermarket for a full refund or dispose of it.”
These Sunland products are also sold under the following names:
– Archer Farms (Target´s brand name)
– fresh & easy
– heinen´s
– Joseph´s
– Natural Value
– Naturally More
– Open Nature
– Peanut Power
– Serious Food
– Sprouts
No other Sunland product is being recalled in this matter.
Trader Joe´s initiated their recall last Saturday “out of an abundance of caution.”
In their public statement, a Trader Joe´s spokesperson said, “We have no confirmed information that suggests this peanut butter is unsafe to eat, but there is nothing more important to us than the health and safety of our customers and crew, and the quality of our products. As such, if you purchased this product, please do not eat it. We encourage you to return the product to any Trader Joe´s for a full refund or dispose of it. We apologize for any inconvenience.”
Salmonella is most dangerous to younger children and senior citizens.
Those healthy individuals who contract salmonella can experience fever, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and other forms of digestive distress.
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