Valencia-brand peanut butter believed to be source of rare salmonella strain
Trader Joe’s has issued a recall of its Valencia brand of peanut butter following the outbreak of a multi-state salmonella epidemic. The main culprit is supposedly Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter that has been linked to 29 salmonella infections in 18 states.
The Trader Joe’s recall comes after several infections were reported between June 11 and Sept. 2. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, four people have been hospitalized. On average the victims’ age is 7 years old, where three of the four victims were under the age of 18.
The rare salmonella Bredeney is supposedly the cause for the infection. Difficult to detect, the rare strain of salmonella failed to show up on several test results, however, it is important that those with weak immune systems stay away from Trader Joe’s brand peanut butter at this time.
States where Bredeney infection was reported include Arizona, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia and the state of Washington.
Bredeney symptoms include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramping within 12 to 72 hours of infection with illness lasting four to seven days. Though most can recover without treatment, some may develop more serious illness that requires hospitalization.
In addition, Trader Joe’s is also recalling various types of its Valencia-brand peanut butter. Other varieties of Valencia being taken off store shelves are Roasted Flaxseeds, Crunchy and Salted and Almond Butter with Roasted Flaxseeds, Crunchy and Salted.
Trader Joe’s has invited shoppers to return products for full refunds.
