[Updated] Trader Joe's Peanut Butter Recalled for Salmonella

Update, 9/24 1:12 p.m.: The maker of Trader Joe's peanut butter tied to a multi-state salmonella outbreak has pulled 76 additional peanut and almond products because of possible contamination, NBC News reports. California is among the 18 states that have reported infections of the rare and nasty strain, Salmonella bredeney.

Among the dozens of additional products voluntarily recalled by Sunland Inc. of Portales, N.M. are two more brands of Trader Joe's nut butter: Trader Joe's Valencia Peanut Butter with Roasted Flaxseeds, Crunchy and Salted; and Trader Joe's Almond Butter with Roasted Flaxseeds, Crunchy and Salted.

In addition, the company is recalling peanut and almond products sold under brands including Archer's; Earth Balance; Fresh & Easy; Heinen's; Natural Value; Naturally More; Open Nature; Serious Food, Silly Prices; Sprout's and Sprouts Farmers Market, among others. The recall applied to products with best-by dates between May 1, 2013 and Sept. 24, 2013.

For a full list of recalled products, click here. Consumers can contact the company at 1-866-837-1018, 24/7, for information on the recall.

Original piece, published 9/24, 5:00 a.m.: Trader Joe's Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter is being recalled after being linked to 29 salmonella cases in 18 states, ABC News reports.

After an investigation by the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control determined the peanut butter was the likely source of the outbreak, officials alerted TJ's.

“Out of the utmost caution and care for our customers, Trader Joe's is voluntarily recalling its Creamy Salted Valencia Peanut Butter because of potential contamination with Salmonella … While we have no confirmed information that suggests this peanut butter is unsafe to eat, there is nothing more important to us than the health and safety of our customers and crew, and the quality of our products,” the South Pasadena-based national grocery store chain said in a statement.

(We dunno, TJ's. A lot of your products have been recalled lately. Remember those 3 tons of bbq chicken salad? Or the bagged greens?)

The list of states that reported the illnesses was not released, but the state health departments in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York and North Carolina reported cases.

The product comes in a 16-ounce plastic jar with an expiration date stamped below the lid. All code dates are included in the recall.
 Production and distribution of the peanut butter has been suspended while the FDA and the peanut butter supplier continue their investigations. 



Anyone with the product is encouraged to either return it to Trader Joe's for a full refund or dispose of it. Customers with questions may contact Trader Joe's customer relations at (626) 599-3817. Ask them what's up with all the recalls.

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