Smucker’s recalls peanut butter batches

Van Wert independent/Health Department information

The J.M. Smucker Company has announced a limited voluntary recall on two specific Best-If-Used-By dates of 16-ounce Smucker’s® Natural Peanut Butter Chunky because it may be contaminated with Salmonella, 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 (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 (that is, infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis. For more information, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at www.cdc.gov.

This product was distributed in Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.

The affected product, which is packaged in 16-ounce jars, is as follows:

• UPC: 5150001701 (located on the side of the jar’s label below the bar code)
• Production Codes: 1307004 and 1308004
• Best-If-Used-By dates: August 3, 2012, and August 4, 2012
• Chunky product only (not creamy)
• Impacted product would have been purchased between November 8-17, 2011
• No other products of The J.M. Smucker Company are affected by this recall.

No illnesses related to this issue have been reported and the product is being recalled out of an abundance of caution for consumer safety.

The recall was initiated as the result of a routine sampling program by the company, which revealed that these finished products may contain the bacteria.

Consumers who have purchased Smucker’s Natural Peanut Butter Chunky with the above Production Code and Best-If-Used-By dates are urged to discard the product immediately and call the company at 1-888-550-9555 for a replacement coupon. The company may require proof of purchase. Consumers with questions can contact the company to speak to a customer service representative at 888.550.9555 Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).