Trader Joe’s recalls peanut butter
Trader Joe’s is voluntarily recalling its Creamy Salted Valencia Peanut Butter because of potential contamination with salmonella, the Kane County Health Department announced Monday afternoon. The product has been removed from all store shelves.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a total of 29 cases of salmonella with a specific pattern from 18 states since June, the health department said in a news release. According to the CDC, a high percentage of cases report consuming the Valencia peanut butter made with sea salt from Trader Joe’s stores prior to their illness.
Only one case with the outbreak strain has been identified in Illinois in a resident of McLean County with onset in August. At this point, it is not known if the Illinois case consumed this product.
Trader Joe’s has stories in Batavia, Algonquin and throughout the suburbs and city of Chicago.
The recalled peanut butter was distributed to Trader Joe’s stores nationwide. The product comes in a 16 ounce, plastic jar with an expiration date of stamped below the lid.
Production and distribution of the item has been suspended while the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the peanut butter supplier continue their investigations.
Customers who have purchased the peanut butter are urged to dispose of the product or return it to any Trader Joe’s for a full refund. Customers with questions can contact Trader Joe’s Customer Relations at (626) 599-3817.
More information is available by visiting the FDA’s food recall page.