May 23rd, 2022
A sudden outbreak of salmonellosis across 12 states has resulted in the recall of a food staple especially popular with American children. The Food and Drug Administration reported on Friday that 4 out of 5 people who got sick with the infection had eaten Jif peanut butter before their symptoms started. Here’s how the FDA determined the source of the outbreak:
FDA conducted Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) analysis on an environmental sample collected at the Lexington, KY, J.M. Smucker Company facility in 2010. The analysis shows that this 2010 environmental sample matches the strain [Salmonella causing illnesses in this current outbreak. Epidemiologic evidence indicates that Jif brand peanut butter produced in the J.M. Smucker Company facility located in Lexington, KY, is the likely cause of illnesses in this outbreak.
Large and small jars and little containers of Jif containing creamy, crunchy, natural, and low-fat peanut butter were recalled. Here is the recall announcement with the 7-digit lot codes ending in 425:
J.M. Smucker Company has voluntarily recalled certain Jif brand peanut butter products that have the lot code numbers between 1274425 – 2140425, only if the first seven digits end with 425 (manufactured in Lexington, KY).
FDA’s investigation is ongoing and more information will be provided as it becomes available.
So far the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention counts 14 people in 12 states (including cases in Ohio, New York, and Virginia, but not Pennsylvania) who have gotten sick and tested positive for Salmonella. Two required hospitalization. In a Food Safety Alert issued on Saturday, the CDC recommends consumers check their pantries and watch for symptoms:
• Do not eat any recalled Jif brand peanut butter. Throw it away.
• This product has a very long shelf life, so be sure to check any Jif peanut butter you have at home to make sure it has not been recalled.
• Wash surfaces and containers that may have touched the recalled peanut butter using hot, soapy water.
• Call your healthcare provider if you have one or more of these symptoms after eating recalled peanut butter:
⇒ Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F
⇒ Diarrhea for more than 3 days that is not improving
⇒ Bloody diarrhea
⇒ So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down
⇒ Signs of dehydration, such as:
Not peeing much
Dry mouth and throat
Feeling dizzy when standing up
See the complete list of recalled Jif products (with UPC codes) here and CDC’s Food Safety Alert here.
