Peanut, Almond Butters Recalled Over Salmonella Risk
nSPIRED Foods, a unit of organic food company Hain Celestial Group, has announced a voluntary recall of its peanut and almond butters after testing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration revealed potential salmonella contamination.
The nut butters subject to the recall were sold under the Arrowhead Mills and MaraNatha brand names, and were also sold as private label nut butters for Trader Joes, Whole Foods, Safeway and other retailers, reports The Associated Press.
4 Illnesses Reported
In its announcement of the recall, the FDA noted that nSPIRED has so far received reports of four illnesses that may be associated with the recalled products.
Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can cause those who consume it to contract salmonellosis, a disease that for most people results in diarrhea, stomach cramps, and fever symptoms that last less than a week. In some cases, however, salmonellosis can cause severe, potentially fatal illness requiring hospitalization.
A salmonella outbreak affecting peanut butter and other peanut products in 2008 killed nine people and sickened more than 700 across 44 states. In that case, a peanut processing plant was found to have retested batches of peanut product testing positive for salmonella until results were negative, at which point the peanut products were shipped to food retailers.
Recalled Products
The FDA has provided a list of the retail lots being recalled on its website. Recalled products can be identified using the product UPC code and the "Best By" date printed on the top of the jar lid.
The products were distributed in the United States and internationally, including in Canada, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, and the Dominican Republic. The products were also available for purchase online, according to the FDA's press release.
The FDA advises consumers to dispose of any recalled products they may have purchased. For information regarding refunds, replacements, or other questions about the recall, consumers can call (800) 937-7008.
Related Resources:
- Peanut, almond and nut butters recalled on fears of salmonella (CNN)
- Foster Farms Recalls Chicken Amid Outbreak: What Took So Long? (FindLaw's Common Law)
- Black Pepper, Chia and Flax Powders Recalled Over Salmonella Fears (FindLaw's Common Law)
- USDA Closes Foster Farms Plant; Health Alert Issued but No Recall (FindLaw's Common Law)