A total of 49 types and sizes of Jif peanut butter have been recalled after the products have been linked to a salmonella outbreak that has affected fourteen people.
“Our top priority is ensuring our consumers understand the recall details and are supported,” J.M. Smucker Co. said. “We recognize your trust, and our reputation is built on our fundamental commitment to high standards for ingredients and manufacturing.
The company stated that they are confident that they have identified the root cause of the problem and have taken corrective action to address it.
“In partnership with FDA and CFIA, we initiated a voluntary recall spanning the duration of the incident that we consider responsible for the issue and several additional months beyond this time frame out of an abundance of caution.”
Customers should check their peanut butter products for lot codes 1274425 to 2140425, located alongside the best-if-used-by date. Consumers can view a list of recalled Jif products and their UPCs from the FDA website. The FDA warns people not to serve or consume any products with these codes. Instead, discard the products as soon as possible.
In collaboration with the CDC, state and local authorities, and others, the FDA launched an investigation into the multi-state salmonella outbreak, which is still ongoing. The peanut butter products were all manufactured at the J.M. Smucker Company facility in Lexington, Kentucky.
“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,” read the report.
According to the report, the FDA performed a whole-genome sequencing analysis on an “environmental sample” collected in 2010 at a Lexington, Kentucky, facility. The environmental sample “matches the strain causing illnesses in this current outbreak,” according to the FDA’s findings.
“Evidence indicates that Jif brand peanut butter produced in the J.M. Smucker Company facility located in Lexington is the likely cause of illnesses in this outbreak,” said the FDA.
Salmonella, a bacterial disease, affects the gastrointestinal tract. In young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems, it can cause severe and sometimes fatal infections. In healthy people, Salmonella infection causes fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, according to the Mayo Clinic.
So far, 14 people have fallen ill, including two hospitalizations, with the last illness reported on May 1.
If you have any questions or would like to report an adverse reaction, please visit Jif’s website or call 800-828-9980. Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (ET).
