Nationwide Trader Joe’s grocery stores have announced a recall of Creamy Salted Valencia Peanut Butter after the product was linked to 29 salmonella food poisoning cases in 18 states. Most of the cases involved children and teenagers under 18 years old. Trader Joe’s stores have removed the product from store shelves, and the company has ceased manufacturing and distribution.
What You Can Do & How a Trader Joe’s Peanut Butter Lawsuit Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Trader Joe’s peanut butter induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured by Trader Joe’s peanut butter, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Food Poisoning Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
UPDATE
November 27, 2012 — Sunland Inc. tries to re-start operations at their facility less than 2 months after a massive recall, but the FDA uses new enforcement powers to halt production at the facility until they can prove they are clean. Click here to read more.
October 1, 2012 — The first peanut butter food poisoning lawsuit has been filed against Trader Joe’s. The recall has expanded to include peanut butter and nut butter products (cashew, almond, tahini, etc.) at Safeway, Target, Whole Foods Market, Sprouts, and more. Click here to read more.
Overview
Trader Joe’s Creamy Salted Valencia Peanut Butter was sold throughout the United States. It comes in 16-ounce plastic jars with an expiration date located under the lid of the jar. The recall involves peanut butter from all production / expiration dates.
The outbreak of salmonella food poisoning was first identified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and health department officials in the state of California. The agencies notified Trader Joe’s of the recall in September 20, 2012. The illnesses linked to the peanut butter began on June 11, and have continued as recently as September 2. There may be more cases that have not yet been confirmed.
The agencies have announced that illnesses have been confirmed in 18 states. Local health departments have announced cases in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and North Carolina.
Trader Joe’s has responded by removing the product from store shelves. Officials are recommending that customers who purchased the peanut butter should throw it away, even if some of the product has been eaten without causing food poisoning. The product may also be returned to the store for a full refund.
Trader Joe’s Peanut Butter Salmonella
Health officials said that 75% of the reported illnesses occurred in children and teenagers under 18 years old. Young people are more likely to suffer from severe, life-threatening cases of salmonella food poisoning than healthy adults.
Salmonellosis is a gastrointestinal illness caused by many strains of the salmonella bacteria. The illness typically begins within 12-72 hours after a contaminated food product is eaten. Healthy adults usually recover within a week, but salmonellosis can be deadly for some people — especially children, the elderly, and people with a weak immune system (such as those undergoing certain cancer treatments). Severe cases of salmonellosis may involve life-threatening dehydration or blood infections.
Symptoms of salmonellosis may include:
- Diarrhea (which may be bloody or watery)
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal cramps, muscle aches
- Fever
- Headache
Do I have a Trader Joe’s Peanut Butter Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Trader Joe’s peanut butter induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured by Trader Joe’s peanut butter, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Food Poisoning Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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