Trader Joe's peanut butter recalled for salmonella risk

By JoNel Aleccia, NBC News

Federal health officials are warning consumers not to eat Trader Joe's
Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter after the product was linked to
salmonella infections that have sickened 29 people in 18 states.

It is especially important that children under age 5, elderly adults
and people with weak immune systems avoid the product, which has been
possibly linked to an outbreak of salmonella Bredeney, according to
the Food and Drug Administration.

Trader Joe's has pulled the product from store shelves nationwide and
posted an advisory on the company's web page. The peanut butter, which
has a stock keeping unit or SKU of 97111, should be returned to any
Trader Joe's store for a full refund.

FDA officials said they are working with the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention and local and state health officials across the
country to investigate what the agency called "a fast-moving outbreak"
in a statement issued Saturday.

"FDA's top priority is protecting consumers and ensuring the safety of
our food supply," the agency said.

People infected with salmonella typically develop diarrhea, fever and
abdominal cramps within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food.
The illness typically lasts between four to seven days and most people
recover without treatment. However, some people, particularly the very
young, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems, may
become very ill and require hospitalization. Children are the most
likely to get salmonella infections.

Anyone who shows signs of infection after eating Trader Joe's Valencia
Creamy Salted Peanut Butter should contact a health provider.

Peanut butter has been the cause of widespread outbreaks of foodborne
illness in recent years. In 2008, 714 people in 46 states were
sickened by salmonella Typhimurium found in peanut butter crackers and
other products. In 2007, 425 people in 44 states were sickened by
salmonella Typhimurium found in Peter Pan and Great Value peanut
butter.