Nut Butter Recall Expands, Now Involves Starbucks

Local stores responded to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's expanded voluntary recall of nut butter products by removing all products possibly contaminated with salmonella from store shelves. 

The Sunland Inc. recall has more than doubled to over 240 products over the last week, in response to a "fast-moving outbreak" of salmonella in 19 states.

Recently adding Starbucks to the mix of locally affected businesses, Flying Food Group issued a voluntary recall of the Starbucks brand Protein Bistro Box with 'Enjoy By' dates of Aug. 10 to Oct. 6.

South Orange Starbucks has a sign on its counter informing customers that it has removed all the bistro boxes from the coffee shop. The boxes contained a Justin's Nut Butter Honey Peanut Butter squeeze pack, part of the expanded voluntary recall. The Millburn store also has removed the products.

Over the last few weeks, the voluntary recalls have affected Target, Trader Joe's and Whole Foods in the Maplewood, South Orange and Millburn-Short Hills area. 

The Millburn-Union Whole Foods reassured the community that none of the products should be on the shelves. "We immediately pull and destroy any recalled products, whether it is a recall or just voluntary recall," said associate store team leader, Ron Meinders, at Millburn-Union Whole Foods.

Trader Joe's posted a notice to customers that it has also removed all products from its stores last week.

The expanded list of Sunland Inc. products added flavored butters and spreads, such as thai ginger butter, chocolate butter and banana butter. It also increased to include all previously identified peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, tahini and roasted blanched peanut products, according to the FDA. 

Residents should return or throw out all products with “Best-If-Used-By” dates of March 1, 2011 or later according to Sunland Inc. most recent press release. 

A few product recalls in the area include:

• Trader Joe's Creamy Salted Valencia Peanut Butter
• Kirkland Organic Creamy Peanut Butter
• Peanut Butter Newman-O’s Sandwich Crème Cookies
• Natural Value Organic Creamy Peanut Butter
• American Choice Crunchy Peanut Butter

For a complete list use the searchable database on the FDA's website to make sure none of these products are in your cabinets or refrigerator. Not every product in the list below is affected though. It depends on the batch, which can be identified by the UPC on the container.

The FDA increased the voluntary recall list to 101 products last week.

According to the Food and Drug Administration’s website, the recall is limited to products manufactured at the Sunland facility in Portales, New Mexico between March 1, 2010 and Sept. 24, 2012.

The recall started on Sept. 2 for Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter.

Sunland has established a 24-hour, toll-free line for information about the recall: 1-866-837-1018.