Jif Brand Peanut Butter Recalled Following Reports of Salmonella Contamination

Jif brand peanut butter has been recalled following reports of Salmonella contamination.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports Monday, May 23, that 14 people have been infected from 12 states. Two people have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported.

No cases have been reported in Hawai‘i at this point, however, the CDC states the true number of sick people is likely higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses.

“This is because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella,” the CDC reports.

On May 20, J.M. Smucker Company recalled multiple Jif brand peanut butter types, including creamy, crunchy, natural, and reduced-fat. Recalled products include lot codes 1274425–2140425, with “425” at the end of the first seven numbers.

Investigators are working to identify whether additional products are contaminated. See recall notice for packaging sizes, descriptions, and product codes.

What You Should Do:

• Do not eat, sell, or serve 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 or a dishwasher.
• Contact a healthcare provider if you think you got sick from eating a recalled product.

Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps six hours to six days after being exposed to the bacteria. The illness usually lasts four to seven days, and most people recover without treatment. In some people, the illness may be so severe that the patient is hospitalized.

In rare cases, Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other parts of the body.

Children younger than 5, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe illness.