A voluntary recall on several Jif Peanut Butter products was announced due to potential Salmonella contamination at a J.M. Smucker Company facility in Lexington, Kentucky.
The Food Drug Administration (FDA) defines Salmonella as "an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems". Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and in rare cases, infection.
As of May 25, 2022, CDC reports that of the 10 people interviewed, 100 percent reported eating peanut butter prior to becoming ill. Nine people reported brand information, and all nine reported eating different varieties of Jif brand peanut butter.
Consumers are warned if consumers have products listed on the FDA website should dispose of them immediately.
The estimated financial impact of the recall remains unclear.
The FDA has posted a list of additional recalls being conducted by companies that have used the recalled Jif peanut butter as an ingredient in the manufacturing of a new product (e.g., chocolate products) or in repackaging the product (e.g., snack cups). This list will be updated as the agency receives the notification of new recalls.
The FDA said consumers should follow the following steps:
- Check if you have Jif peanut butter in your home.
- Locate the lot code on the back of the jar, under the Best If Used By Date (the lot code may be next to the Best If Used By Date for cups or squeeze pouches).
- In the lot code, if the first four digits are between 1274 and 2140, and if the next three numbers after that are '425', this product has been recalled, and you should not consume this product.
Those who have used the recalled Jif brand peanut butter that has lot code numbers 1274425 through 2140425 and the first seven digits end with 425 are recommended to wash and sanitize surfaces and utensils that could have touched the peanut butter.
If you or someone in your household ate this peanut butter and have symptoms of salmonellosis, please contact your healthcare provider.
If you are unsure what to do with your recalled product, you can call J.M. Smucker Company at 800-828-9980 or visit jif.com/contact-us
