UPDATE: October 13, 2012:  The FDA announced that on October 12th, Sunland Inc. expanded its ongoing recall to include raw and roasted shelled and in-shell peanuts sold in quantities from 2 ounces to 50 pounds which are within their current shelf life or have no stated expiration date.

Since late September, the FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state and local public health officials have been investigating a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Bredeney infections linked to a peanut butter made by Sunland Inc.  As part of the continuing investigation, the FDA has been inspecting the Sunland Inc. production facilities, including a building in which peanuts are processed and a separate building in which nut butters are made.  FDA testing has found the presence of Salmonella in raw peanuts from the peanut processing facility.  Environmental samples taken from this building also show the presence of Salmonella. Environmental samples are samples taken from various surfaces in the production or manufacturing facility that would likely harbor bacteria.

Additionally, FDA analysis has confirmed that environmental samples showing the presence of Salmonella in Sunland’s nut butter facility have a DNA fingerprint that is the same as the outbreak strain of Salmonella Bredeney.

Sunland Inc. reports that it has ceased the production and distribution of all products from both its nut butter facility and its peanut processing facility.
Sunland raw and roasted peanuts available to retail customers are distributed primarily under the company’s own label and were distributed primarily to produce houses and nationally to numerous large supermarket, grocery and retail chains.  The products also were available for purchase on the internet.  
A list of all products being recalled by Sunland Inc. can be found in the company's recall announcement.

Consumers should not eat the recalled products. This is especially important for children under the age of 5 years, elderly adults, and people with weak immune systems.
 

UPDATE: September 25, 2012: FDA inspectors are continuing their investigation at the Sunland Inc. production facility. On the evening of September 24, Sunland Inc. expanded their recall to about 100 products, which include peanut butter and other products made with nuts and seeds. The original recall had been initiated by Sunland Inc. after a briefing on the status of the investigation by FDA and CDC. A list of those products can be found in the company's recall announcement.

The FDA’s top priority continues to be ensuring the safety of our food supply. Consumers should not eat the recalled products. This is especially important for children under the age of 5 years, elderly adults, and people with weak immune systems. Consumers should dispose of the product or return the product to the store where they purchased it.
 

UPDATE: September 24, 2012: As part of its investigation, FDA contacted Sunland Inc., which makes Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter.  On September 23rd, FDA and CDC briefed Sunland Inc. on the status of the investigation and the company volunteered to recall of its almond butter and peanut butter products that were manufactured on the same product line as Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter between May 1 and September 24, 2012. A list of those 76 products can be found on the company's recall announcement: http://www.sunlandinc.com/788/html/pdfs/SunlandRecall.pdf  

The FDA’s top priority continues to be ensuring the safety of our food supply. Consumers should not eat the recalled products. This is especially important for children under the age of 5 years, elderly adults, and people with weak immune systems. Consumers should dispose of the product or return the product to the store where they purchased it.

FDA NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: September 22, 2012
Media Inquiries: Pat El-Hinnawy, 301-796-4763, Patricia.El-Hinnawy@fda.hhs.gov
Consumer Inquiries: 1-888-INFO-FDA
 

FDA advises consumers not to eat Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter
Product possibly linked to outbreak of Salmonella

En Español

Fast facts

•  The FDA’s top priority is ensuring the safety of our food supply. The FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local public health officials are investigating a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Bredeney infections possibly linked to Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter, with a Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) identifier of 97111.
 

•  The CDC recommends that consumers do not eat Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter made with sea salt. This is especially important for children under the age of 5 years, elderly adults, and people with weak immune systems.
 

• Dispose of any remaining jars of peanut butter in the home or return the product to any Trader Joe’s grocery store. Trader Joe's has encouraged consumers to return the product to any Trader Joe’s store for a full refund.
 

• The CDC reports a total of 29 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Bredeney from 18 states
 

What is the problem?

The FDA’s top priority is protecting consumers and ensuring the safety of our food supply. The FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local public health officials are investigating a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Bredeney infections possibly linked to Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter, with a Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) identifier of 97111. The CDC reports a total of 29 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Bredeney from 18 states.
 

Once the FDA became involved in this fast-moving outbreak investigation, we began coordinating and working closely with the CDC and several state health departments, which have been leading their own investigations. On September 20, the FDA, the CDC and the state of California briefed Trader Joe’s on the status of the investigation, and the company agreed to remove the suspected product from their store shelves. As we examine the information from the state investigations, we will make decisions on our next steps and keep the public informed.
 

Where was the peanut butter distributed?

This peanut butter is sold at Trader Joe's grocery stores nationwide and on the internet.
 

What is being done about the problem? 

The FDA, the CDC and state and local public health officials are investigating a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Bredeney infections possibly linked to Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter. The CDC reports a total of 29 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Bredeney from 18 states.
 

Once FDA became involved in this fast-moving outbreak investigation, we began coordinating and working closely with the CDC and several state health departments, which have been leading their own investigations. On September 20, FDA, the CDC and the state of California briefed Trader Joe’s on the status of the investigation, and the company agreed to remove the suspected product from their store shelves.
FDA’s top priority is protecting consumers and ensuring the safety of our food supply. We are engaged on this case and working closely with the CDC and state health departments around the country. As we examine the information from the state investigations, we will make decisions on our next steps and keep the public informed.
 

What are the symptoms of salmonellosis?

Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment.
 

However, in some people, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. In these patients, the Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream, and then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics.
 

Who is at risk?

Children are the most likely to get salmonellosis. The rate of diagnosed infections in children less than five years old is higher than the rate in all other persons. Young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems are the most likely to have severe infections. It is estimated that approximately 400 persons die each year with acute salmonellosis.
 

What do consumers need to do?

The CDC recommends that consumers do not eat Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter made with sea salt. This is especially important for children under the age of 5 years, elderly adults, and people with weak immune systems.
 

Trader Joe's has encouraged consumers to return the product to any Trader Joe’s store for a full refund.
 

Who should be contacted?

Consumers who show any signs of illness from salmonellosis should consult their health care provider. The FDA encourages consumers with questions about food safety to call 1-888-SAFEFOOD or consult the fda.gov website.
 

The product information found in the Sunland Inc. recall announcement has not been verified by the FDA, and the FDA is not responsible for its contents.
The information in this press release reflects the FDA’s best efforts to communicate what it has learned from the manufacturer and the state and local public health agencies involved in the investigation. The agency will update the public as more information becomes available.

For more information:

• FDA: FDA Investigates Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Bredeney Infections Possibly Linked to Trader Joe's Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter
• CDC: Salmonella
• FoodSafety.gov: Salmonella 
• Trader Joe’s Customer Advisory

The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off electronic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products.

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