According to a press release, the Pennsylvania Department of Health was the first to advise consumers that Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter made with sea salt may be related to a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Bredeney. The department is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and public health officials in several states to investigate the outbreak. Nationally, there have been 29 cases of illness with two cases reported in Pennsylvania.
- A Rhode Islander with a Salmonella infection is one of the 29 people nationwide linked to a Trader Joe’s brand product, the R.I. Department of Health said Friday in a warning to consumers.
- The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) claims three Salmonella victims in the outbreak.
- Maryland has one reported case, a child under 18 who was not hospitalized and has recovered.
- New York Department of Health reports one Salmonella case.
Trader Joe’s has voluntarily removed the product for sale from its stores; however, consumers who have the product in their homes should discard it and should also be aware that this product is sold online through other retail outlets.
Suspected in the outbreak are 16-ounce containers with “use by” dates of May 23, 2013 and June 28, 2013. Anyone who recently became ill with diarrhea or vomiting after consuming the product is advised to consult a doctor.
And, who can forget the last two peanut butter Salmonella outbreaks:
ConAgra Peter Pan & Great Value Peanut Butter Salmonella Outbreak Lawsuit – Nationwide (2006-2007)
Peanut Corporation of America Peanut Butter Salmonella Outbreak Lawsuits – Nationwide (2008-2009)