Peanut butter recall underway
According to an announcement by the U.S. FDA, some Jif peanut butter products may be contaminated and linked to a multi-state Salmonella outbreak.
The Centers for Disease Control have looked into the reported outbreak. The agency’s review found five out five the infected consumers had eat Jif brand peanut butter before getting sick.
J.M. Smucker Co. has issued a voluntary recall of select peanut butter products between the lot code numbers of 1274425 and 2140425. To locate the lot number on a jar of peanut butter, one should look beneath the "Best if used by“ date, where there is a string of numbers. The first seven numbers is the lot number.
“FDA’s investigation is ongoing and more information will be provided as it becomes available,” the announcement said.
According to recommendations, those who have jars of Jif peanut butter should dispose of them, and those who feel they may be sick from eat it should call their doctor.
According to data collected by the CDC, 14 people who contracted Salmonella across 12 states have been connected to the recalled product. Though Pennsylvania has not had a documented case, those currently logged have ranged from the states of Washington, to Texas and to New York.
The FDA defines Salmonella as a group of bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal illness, known medically as salmonellosis.
Symptoms start to show between 12 and 72 hours after infection, and the usually lasts four to seven days. Symptoms often include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps.
Most people recover without treatment; however, for children younger than 5, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems, the illness can become severe.
Severe cases may include a high fever, aches, headaches, lethargy, a rash, blood in the urine or stool, and in some cases may become fatal.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that approximately 450 persons in the United States die each year from acute salmonellosis.