Supplier of Trader Joe's Peanut Butter Issues Recall Notice (More Brands and Lots)

Sunland Foods, maker of the Trader Joe's Peanut Butter that was recalled, has issued a recall that impacts a number of different brands and coveres a period of approximately 5 months.


FDA Recall -- Firm Press Release

Sunland, Inc. Announces Voluntarily Limited Recall of Almond Butter and Peanut Butter Products Due to Possible Health Risk

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm320647.htm?source=govdelivery

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 24, 2012 - Sunland, Inc. today announced a voluntary limited recall of its Almond Butter and Peanut Butter products, manufactured between May 1, 2012 and September 24, 2012, because these products may be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experiencef ever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The voluntary recall was initiated after learning that between June 11, 2012 and September 2, 2012, twenty-nine people reported Salmonella Bredeney PFGE matching illnesses in approximately 18 states, including Washington, California, Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Missouri, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, North Carolina, Virginia, Connecticut, New Jersey and Maryland, according to a report issued on September 22, 2012 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

"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. While FDA, CDC, and State Health Agencies investigate to confirm the cause of illnesses reported, as a precautionary step, we have decided to voluntarily recall our Almond Butter and Peanut Butter products manufactured between May 1, 2012 and September 24, 2012. If you purchased these products, do not eat them. Please return the product to your supermarket for a full refund or dispose of it."

Statement of Jimmie Shearer, President and CEO of Sunland, Inc.

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). No other Sunland products are affected by this recall.

The products were distributed nationally to numerous large supermarket chains.

The impacted brands : Archer Farms, Earth Balance, fresh & easy,  heinen's, Joseph's, Natural Value Naturally More,  Open Nature,  Peanut Power, Serious Food, Silly Prices, Sprouts Farmers Market, Sprout's, Sunland, and Trader Joe's (SEE RECALL NOTICE ON FDA WEBSITE FOR EXACT UPC CODES WITH SIZES).

Best-If-Used-By Dates: This recall applies to the above products with Best-If-Used-By Dates between May 1, 2013 and September 24, 2013. (Stamped on the side of the jar's label below the lid of the jar.)


Consumers who have purchased Sunland's Almond Butter and Peanut Butter products with the above UPC and Best-If-Used-By-Dates are urged to discard the product immediately. Consumers can contact the company at 1-866-837-1018, which is operational 24 hours a day, for information on the recall. In addition, a consumer services representative is available Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM MT at (575) 356-6638.

Media representatives should contact Ms. Katalin Coburn, Vice President for Media Relations, Sunland, Inc., at 805-796-3368.