Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Salmonella risk prompts recall of peanut and almond butters



Peanut and almond butter made by one major supplier and sold at a variety of large-chain grocers has been recalled for possible contamination with salmonella bacteria.

by John Tyburski
Copyright © Daily Digest News, KPR Media, LLC. All rights reserved.


Nothing but the butter is what customers expect when they purchase peanut butter and butters made with other nuts. However, a suspected contamination with Salmonella has prompted one manufacturer to recall peanut and almond butters sold at a number of major retailers including Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Safeway, and Kroger. The brands recalled are those stores’ as well as MaraNatha and Arrowhead Mills brands.

The recalled products are made by nSpired Natural Foods Inc. based in Ashland, Oregon. The company has voluntarily recalled the butters after routine testing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration detected Salmonella above safety threshold levels. The company has been notified of four illnesses suspected of being related to the products in question, according to a statement issued by the FDA.

Healthy persons who become infected with Salmonella typically experience fever, diarrhea (possibly bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Salmonella infections are more of a concern and can even be fatal in young children, the elderly, those in poor general health, and those with weakened immune systems. Although rare, Salmonella can move into the blood and cause severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis, and arthritis.

A complete list of specific products affected may be found in the FDA statement. The use-by dates referenced in the list may be found on the top of the jar lids. The recalled products were distributed across the U.S. and Canada and shipped overseas to Hong Kong, United Arab Emirates, and Dominican Republic.

Customers with recalled products are asked to destroy the products and call the company at 1-800-937-7008 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. CST for replacement or refund.

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