Peanut butter recall expands to 101 products, major stores

Peanut butter recall in 30 states now includes other nut products from manufacturer Sunland, Inc., which may be linked to a salmonella outbreak. Several major retailers, including Whole Foods and Target, have pulled products as part of the expanded peanut butter recall. 

The Food and Drug Administration is expanding its peanut butter recall, including other nut-based products in 30 states linked to a widespread salmonella outbreak.

Last week, the FDA recalled all jars of Trader Joe’s Valencia Salted Peanut Butter made with Sea Salt, pulling the product off Trader Joe’s shelves due to a possible link to salmonella illnesses reported in 19 states.

Sunland, Inc., the Portales, New Mexico-based company that manufactures the Trader Joe’s peanut butter, has since expanded its recall to over 100 products with nuts and seeds made on the same manufacturing line. The recall now includes almond butter, cashew butter, tahini, and blanched and roasted peanut products.

"There is nothing more important to us than the health and safety of our customers, particularly the many families who enjoy our peanut butter everyday,” Sunland, Inc. president and CEO Jimmie Shearer said in the company’s press release. “While FDA, CDC, and State Health Agencies investigate to confirm the cause of illnesses reported, as a precautionary step, we have decided to voluntarily recall our Almond Butter and Peanut Butter products manufactured between May 1, 2012 and September 24, 2012. If you purchased these products, do not eat them. Please return the product to your supermarket for a full refund or dispose of it."

Sunland provides nut-based products to a slew of US retailers, many of which have issued their own recalls. In addition to Trader Joe’s, which also pulled its Valencia Peanut Butter with Roasted Flaxseeds and Almond Butter with Roasted Flaxseeds, products sold at Target, Stop and Shop Supermarket Company, Harry and David, Whole Foods Market, Fresh and Easy, Sprouts, Heinen’s, and Giant Foods are being pulled from shelves.  

Affected brands include Archer Farms; Natural Value; Joseph’s, Naturally More; Open Nature; Peanut Power Butter; Serious Food, Silly Prices; Sprout’s; Sunland; Trader Joe’s; and more.

Related recalls on products made with Sunland ingredients (including cookies, peanut butter crackers, brownies, and ice cream) have come from additional companies, including Newman’s Own Organics and Chattanooga Bakery, Inc., among others.

Recalled products have Best-if-Used-By dates between May 1, 2013, and September 24, 2013.

No new salmonella illnesses have been reported as a result of the products included in the expanded recall. Previously, 30 people in 19 states were reported ill between June 11 and Sept. 11, 2012. No deaths have been reported.

Consumers with affected products should throw them away immediately. For a full list of recalled products, visit the FDA’s press release on the expanded recall, here.

For additional information, consumers can call Sunland 24 hours a day at 1-866-837-1018.