Reports of Illness Prompt Recall of Peanut Butter, Almond Butter

Multiple brands of peanut butter and almond butter are being recalled due to fear of salmonella contamination after reports of illness.

nSpired Natural Foods, Inc. has announced a voluntary recall of certain lots of peanut butter and almond butter sold under the brand names Arrowhead Mills^®, MaraNatha^®, Kroger^®, Trader Joes^®, Safeway^® and Whole Foods^® because they have the potential to be contaminated the bacteria Salmonella.

According to a release, nSpired Natural Foods was notified of the risk following routine testing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The company has received four reports of illnesses that may be associated with these peanut butter and almond butter products.

“nSpired Natural Foods, Inc. is committed to producing the highest quality products and our top priority is the safety of our consumers,” the company said. “For this reason we are initiating this voluntary recall of the products below as a precautionary measure.”

People infected with Salmonella bacteria may develop an illness called Salmonellosis. They may experience diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12-72 hours after infection. While most people recover without treatment within 4 to 7 days, some people may require hospitalization. Salmonellosis can be severe or fatal, especially in the young, elderly or those with compromised immune systems. People infected with salmonella may develop Reiter’s syndrome, characterized by joint pain, irritation of the eyes, and painful urination, that can last months or years and lead to chronic arthritis.

“As a food industry professional with over 25 years of experience, and more importantly the mother of two children who enjoy MaraNatha nut butters, please be assured that we are committed to producing the highest quality products and our top priority is the health and safety of our consumers,” said Maureen Putman, President — Grocery & Snacks, Hain Celestial US. “It is with this in mind that we are initiating a voluntary recall as a precautionary measure and are working closely with the FDA to proactively remedy the situation.”

Consumers can identify the recalled peanut butter and almond butter products by locating the UPC number on the product label and use-by date on the top of the lid. They may have purchased these peanut butter and almond butter products online and in retail stores across the United States, Canada, Hong Kong, United Arab Emirates, and Dominican Republic.

If you determine you have one of these recalled peanut butter or almond butter products, nSpired Natural Foods is instructing consumers to dispose of the product and its container. They do not need to return it to the place of purchase. To obtain a replacement or refund, call 1-800-937-7008.

List of recalled peanut butter and almond butter: