The list of food products affected by a salmonella outbreak at a Jif peanut butter plant in Kentucky continued to expand this week.
Ten companies, including Walmart, Del Monte, Albertsons and Wawa, have recalled candy and snacks that used the impacted peanut butter as an ingredient or repackaged it. These items have been recalled nationwide, including in Florida.
Since the salmonella outbreak, 16 people in a dozen states have been sickened by it, two of whom have been hospitalized, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. None of those who fell ill are in Florida.
Genome sequencing on Jif samples 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.
The J.M. Smucker Co. said the recalled products were distributed in retail stores and other outlets throughout the country. The recall includes creamy, crunchy and natural varieties of Jif peanut butter, along with many others.
The newly recalled products added to the list include:
· 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
· 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, various 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.
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 visit Jif.com.
Salmonella symptoms typically begin 12 to 72 hours after infection and last up to a week, according to the FDA. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever and cramping, and more severe cases can be accompanied by aches, lethargy, rash, and blood in urine or stool. Consumers who ate the peanut butter and have symptoms should contact their health care provider.