Monday, October 16, 2017

Nut Butter Recalled in March for E. coli Contamination Still in Marketplace

FDA issued a news release to remind the public and retailers that the I.M. Healthy Soy Nut Butter Products have been recalled and must not be available for sale.  These products were recalled back in March after being linked to a dozen cases of E. coli O157:H7 infection.  The problem is that these products are still being sold, both online and in retail stores.  The packer was suspended.

The occurrence of recalled product, and dangerous product at that, still being in the marketplace shows the difficulty of recall compliance in smaller retailers and online venues where niche product like this is likely to sell.

FDA Outbreak Notice
https://www.fda.gov/food/recallsoutbreaksemergencies/outbreaks/ucm544964.htm
FDA Reminds Public that All I.M. Healthy Soy Nut Butter Products Are Recalled
October 13, 2017
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has become aware that recalled I.M Healthy Soy Nut Butter products are being offered for sale through online vendors and in storefront locations. All flavors of I.M. Healthy Soy Nut Butter spreads and granolas were recalled in March 2017 after the product was found to be the source of a multistate Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) outbreak that sickened 32 people in 12 states.

Retailers cannot legally offer for sale and consumers should not purchase any flavors of I.M. Healthy Soy Nut Butter products, including spreads and granolas.

The FDA learned that some distributors are still selling the products in their possession and these products are being sold through online retailers and in storefront locations. As it learns of these products being offered for sale, the FDA notifies the retailer that these products cannot legally be sold. The agency is working swiftly to locate any remaining products to ensure they are no longer available to consumers.

The SoyNut Butter Company, distributor of I.M. Healthy products, has ceased to operate. On March 30, 2017, the FDA suspended the food facility registration of Dixie Dew, Inc., the manufacturer of the products, meaning that no food may leave the facility for sale or distribution.

The FDA will continue to monitor this situation closely and follow up with retailers as we become aware of recalled products being offered for sale. Additionally, the public is urged to report any product being offered for sale to the FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator in their region. More information about the recall can be found at FDA.gov.

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