Jif peanut butter recalled due to possible salmonella in several states

The Food and Drug Administration has announced that JM Smucker is voluntarily recalling dozens of Jif brand peanut butter products due to the potential for Salmonella contamination. Following that announcement, Cargill initiated its own recall of products that contain Jif peanut butter included in the recall that were sold locally and online and through the Wilbur Chocolate Retail Store in Pennsylvania.

So far at least 14 people in 12 states have been reported infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Senftenberg, which is closely related genetically to a sample collected in 2010 from JM Smucker Company’s facility in Lexington, Kentucky that produces some Jif brand peanut butter types.

What is known about the Salmonella outbreak?

Of the people that are known to have been infected in the Salmonella outbreak, two have been hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported yet. There may be more people that have become sick with the bacteria, and it may not be limited to the states that are currently reporting cases. Most people who get infected with Salmonella do not require medical care and thus are never tested for it.

According to the CDC, illnesses began being detected on 17 February this year and have been registered in people ages less than one to 85 years. Of those interviewed, five out of five people reported eating peanut butter, four of whom ate different types of Jif brand peanut butter prior to falling ill. This leads the CDC to believe that peanut butter is the source of the outbreak.

Because the strain is genetically similar to one discovered at the Lexington, Kentucky facility in 2010, JM Smucker Company initiated a recall out of an abundance of caution as it is likely the source.

Source: CDC

What Jif and Cargill products have been recalled?

Over four dozen Jif brand peanut butter types have been recalled including creamy, crunchy, natural and reduced fat in various sizes and container styles. “The recalled peanut butter was distributed nationwide in retail stores and other outlets. Recalled products include the products below with lot codes 1274425 – 2140425. Lot codes are included alongside best-if-used-by date,” according to the JM Smucker’s recall notice which provides a complete list of the products.

Cargill announced that it is “voluntarily recalling select lots of Milk and Dark Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Ritz Crackers, Peanut Butter Meltaways, Peanut Butter Eggs and Fudge.” The action is due to potential contamination because they contain Jif peanut butter included in the JM Smucker’s recall. So far there have been no reports of “illnesses or health-related complaints in connection with this recall.”

The products were sold between 9 February and 28 March 2022 at the Wilbur Chocolate store in Lititz, Pennsylvania and online at Wilburbuds.com. Cargill provides a full list of product that are affected by the recall.

What should you do with recalled products?

Customers who purchased any of the products included in the recall should not consume them. You can dispose of them or return any unconsumed portions to the companies or retailer where they were purchased to get a refund.

For Jif peanut butter products, you can call (Hotline: 800-828-9980) or email JM Smucker Company for more information on what to do with your recalled product. JM Smucker has also set up an online recall claim form on its website. Customers will need to fill out a separate claim form for each product if they have multiple products. They will be sent a coupon to replace the recalled product within approximately six weeks. Many major retailers will take the products and offer a refund as well.

Cargill products can be returned to the Wilbur Chocolate Retail Store. You can also contact contact Amy Weik at Aweik@cargill.com or call 717-627-7946 between 9 am - 5 pm ET, Monday-Friday, to return and/or request a refund.

What is Salmonella?

Salmonella are bacteria which may cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, but for most people they recover after four to seven days without treatment. At higher risk are young children under 5 years, frail or elderly people over age 65, and others with weakened immune systems.

Symptoms normally start after six hours to six days of ingesting food or liquids contaminated with the organism. However, in some people signs of illness may not appear several weeks after infection.

Those infected often experience fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea, which may be bloody.