Jif Peanut Butter Recall: GA Shoppers Could Be Exposed To Salmonella Outbreak

GEORGIA — Georgia shoppers are urged to check peanut butter products after a recent salmonella outbreak connected to a Jif peanut butter plant in Kentucky is under investigation.

Companies such as Walmart and Del Monte have recalled products that use the peanut butter as an ingredient or repackaged it. There are 10 companies in total possibly affected.

So far 14 people in 12 states have gotten sick due to the outbreak, and two have been hospitalized, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Two illnesses in Georgia are linked to the recalled peanut butter.

Genome sequencing tied the strain of salmonella to a J.M. Smucker Co. facility in Lexington.
The company has recalled certain Jif peanut butter products made at the facility.

Below is a full list of the newly recalled products:

• May 21, Wawa apple and peanut butter dippers
• May 23, multiple Wilbur chocolate products made by Cargill
• May 24, multiple fruit snack trays and cups made by Country Fresh
• May 24, Fresh Seasons Power Packs made by Taher Inc.
• May 24, Garden Cut Apple Wedges and Celery Bites with Peanut Butter
• May 24, Mary's Harvest Celery and Apple Peanut Butter Cups
• May 24, various chocolate products containing peanut butter made by Coblentz Chocolate Co.
• May 24, store-prepared items containing peanut butter made by Albertsons Companies
• May 25, cut fruit and vegetable products made by Del Monte
• May 25, Walmart and Fudgeamentals fudge made by Fudgeamentals

The recalled peanut butter should not be eaten, sold or served, according to the FDA.

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems, according to the FDA. Symptoms from Salmonella are usually a 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 (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

Consumers who have Jif peanut butter in their home should check the lot code, located under or next to the best by date, and should not eat it if the code's first four digits are between 1274 and 2140, and if the next three after that are 425. Any surfaces and utensils that could have touched the recalled peanut butter should be washed and sanitized.

Those who are unsure what to do with a recalled product can contact J.M. Smucker Co. at 800-828-9980 or online.