Jif, Multiple Other Peanut Butter Products Recalled Over Salmonella Concerns [Updated]

The J.M. Smucker Company has announced a voluntary recall of a number of its Jif-brand peanut butter products due to the potential presence of Salmonella bacteria. The list of potentially affected products includes both crunchy and creamy peanut butter, natural peanut butter, no-sugar-added peanut butter, and squeeze packs of peanut butter.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the recalled products will have lot codes between 1274425 and 2140425. The first seven digits of any potentially affected product will end with 425, denoting that the peanut butter was manufactured in Lexington, Kentucky. (The lot codes are located on the label, near the Best If Used By date.)

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"Our top priority is ensuring our consumers understand the details of the recall and are supported. We recognize your trust, and our reputation are built on our fundamental commitment to high standards for ingredients and manufacturing," a Jif website relating to the recall states. "We take your concerns seriously and are committed to producing safe, high quality peanut butter."

As of this writing, 14 potentially connected illnesses have been reported, along with two hospitalizations and zero deaths. The peanut butter included in the recall was distributed nationwide, and cases have been reported in 12 states: Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Missouri, Ohio, North Carolina, New York, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.

The FDA reported that it collected an environmental sample containing a strain of salmonella at Smuckers' Lexington, Kentucky facility in 2010, and that genetic analysis has determined that the strain of salmonella connected to this outbreak matches that previously collected sample. "Epidemiologic evidence indicates that Jif brand peanut butter produced in the J.M. Smucker Company facility located in Lexington, KY, is the likely cause of illnesses in this outbreak," the agency wrote.

Anyone who has one of the potentially affected products has been advised not to "eat, sell, or serve" the peanut butter, and any jars, pouches, or packages of peanut butter with the matching lot codes should be discarded. In addition, any kitchen surfaces or utensils that could have come in contact with the peanut butter should also be thoroughly washed and sanitized.

The symptoms of a salmonella infection can include abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, nausea, or vomiting. If you have experienced these symptoms (and if you have eaten peanut butter or have purchased a product with one of the recalled lot codes), the FDA advises contacting your healthcare provider. Any customer who has questions or "would like to report adverse reactions" may also reach out to Jif through its website, jif.com/contact-us, or by calling 800-828-9980.

Jif says that it is "committed to reimbursing" customers who have purchased one of the affected products. "Again, we apologize for the concern this will create," the company wrote. "Please know our number one priority is to deliver safe, quality products to our consumers. When there is any potential issue we act swiftly, as we have in this instance."

Update, May 25, 2022:

Cargill has announced the voluntary recall of some of its peanut butter-containing snack foods, as the products were made with Jif peanut butter that was previously recalled due to potential salmonella contamination. According to a notice posted on the FDA's website, the affected Cargill products include some 8-ounce packages of Milk and Dark Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Ritz Crackers, Peanut Butter Meltaways, Peanut Butter Eggs and Fudge. (A full list of the lot numbers and Best if Used By dates is available on the FDA's website). The recalled products were sold at the Wilbur Chocolate Store in Lititz, Pennsylvania, and online at Wilburbuds.com.

Anyone who purchased one of these now-recalled snacks should either discard it or return it to Wilbur Chocolate for a refund. Customers who have questions are encouraged to send an email to Aweik@cargill.com or call 717-627-7946.

Second Update, May 26, 2022:

Another six companies have recalled products containing peanut butter, in response to J.M. Smucker Corp's own voluntary recall of Jif peanut butter due to potential salmonella contamination. Those additional products include;

Coblentz Chocolate Company has recalled over a dozen products that contain Jif peanut butter. The recalled snacks were sold through the Coblentz Chocolate Company store in Walnut Creek, Ohio, and through other retailers. (A full list of the recalled products is available on the FDA's website.)

Fresh Del Monte has recalled its apples and peanut butter dip, peanut butter snack packs, PB & J sandwich, celery with peanut butter, and its other fruit and vegetable snack packs that contain peanut butter.

Fudgeamentals has recalled its fudge trays, peanut butter chocolate fudge bars, peanut butter chocolate bites, and Tiger Butter fudge bars, which were all made with Jif peanut butter. These products were distributed through nationwide retailers, including Walmart.

Garden Cut, LLC has recalled its Celery Bites with PeanutButter, Sweet Apple Wedges with Peanut Butter, and Tart Apple Wedges with Peanut Butter. These products were distributed for sale in Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Mary's Harvest Fresh Foods, Inc. has recalled its Celery Peanut Butter Cup G&G and Apple Peanut Butter Cup G&G, which both contain Jif creamy peanut butter. Those products were distributed in Oregon and Washington state.

Taher, Inc has recalled its 6.3 ounce packages of  Fresh Seasons Power Packs, which were distributed in retail stores and vending machines in Minnesota and parts of Wisconsin.

Third Update, June 10, 2022:

Another seven companies have issued voluntary recall notices because of products made with Jif peanut butter:

Albanese Confectionery Group, Inc. has voluntarily recalled its Albanese Mini and Giant Peanut Butter Cups. The potentially affected products were sold under the names "Rich's Milk Chocolate Mini Peanut Butter Cups" and "Rich's Milk Chocolate Giant Layered Peanut Butter Cups," at retailers throughout the United States. A full list of retailers who sold the candies is available on the FDA's website; anyone who purchased the Rich's-brand peanut butter cups is encouraged to either destroy it or return it to the point of purchase for a refund.

Euphoria Chocolate Company has issued a voluntary recall of three products, its Peanut Butter Classic Truffles, Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Meltaways, and Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Meltaways. The Euphoria Chocolate candies were sold at Euphoria Chocolate Company stores in Oregon, and distributed to retailers and supermarkets in Oregon.

F&S Produce Co. has voluntarily recalled its Fresh Garden Highway brand Protein Power Snack, because JIF peanut butter is included in each single-serving package. The potentially affected products were sold at Walgreens stores in New Jersey and New York, and were marked with a Best By date of May 28, 2022.

Giant Eagle has voluntarily recalled bakery items containing peanut butter that were sold at its locations in three of its Pennsylvania locations. The potentially affected items were sold in clamshell-style plastic packaging at the Golden Eagle supermarkets in Ebensburg, Indiana, and Northern Cambria. According to the FDA, most of the customers who purchased the items have been contacted directly, but a full list of the potentially affected product numbers is available on the FDA's website.

Prairie City Bakery has issued a voluntary recall of its Prairie City Bakery Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Ooey Gooey Butter Cake. According to the FDA, more than 50,000 of these cakes were distributed to gas stations and convenience stores throughout the U.S. The potentially affected cakes are sold in two-ounce servings or in ten-packs.

Safeway Fresh Foods has issued a voluntary recall of its Quick Chek branded Apple and Peanut Butter Snack trays. The trays were sold in 12 5.1 ounce cases at Quick Chek stores in New Jersey, and have Best By dates between April 27 and June 8. Anyone who purchased one of the snack trays is "urged to destroy it."

Baltimore, Maryland-based Taharka Brothers Ice Cream has voluntarily recalled its Peanut Butter Cup flavor. The potentially affected ice cream cartons were sold in 16-ounce pints and in 2.5 gallon servings. They were distributed between March 1 and May 28 at grocery stores, restaurants, and ice cream shops in the Maryland and Washington, D.C. area. Customers who purchased the Peanut Butter Cup ice cream have been asked to return the product for a refund, or to email taharkacs@gmail.com for more information.