Peanut butter salmonella recall expands

(WPRI/AP) - A recall that started with concerns over tainted peanut butter has grown even larger.

Sunland Incorporated is pulling 76 types of peanut butter and almond butter off store shelves.

Health officials are investigating whether the products are linked to a salmonella outbreak that has affected 18 states and sickened 29 people.

The products were distributed nationally to numerous large supermarket and retail chains, including some in Rhode Island.

Rhode Island has one case of illness that may be associated with this outbreak.

The peanut butter is manufactured under dozens of brands including Trader Joe's, Archer Farms and Earth Balance.

A Sunland spokeswoman said the company recalled the other peanut and almond butters because they were manufactured with the same equipment as the Trader Joe's product. None of the other products have been linked to illnesses.

Trader Joe's recalled the Creamy Salted Valencia Peanut Butter from its stores Saturday.

Those sickened reported becoming ill between June 11 and Sept. 2, according to the CDC. More than three-fourths of those who became ill were children under the age of 18. No deaths have been reported.

Salmonella can cause diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12 hours to 72 hours after infection. It is most dangerous to children, the elderly and others with weak immune systems.

Brand names included in the recall are Archer Farms, Earth Balance, Fresh & Easy, Heinen’s, Joseph’s, Natural Value, Naturally More, Open Nature, Peanut Power Butter, Serious Food, Snaclite Power, Sprouts Farmers Market, Sprout’s, Sunland and Dogsbutter. Two additional Trader Joe’s products are also included in the expanded recall — Trader Joe’s Valencia Peanut Butter with Roasted Flaxseeds and Trader Joe’s Almond Butter with Roasted Flaxseeds.

Online:

Sunland recall: http://www.sunlandinc.com/788/html/pdfs/SunlandRecall.pdf