Peanut butter recall grows to 100 products

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WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 (UPI) -- A Trader Joe's Valencia Peanut Butter recall has turned into a recall of about 100 products by Sunland Inc. containing peanuts, nuts or seeds, officials say.

Officials at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said companies initiating related-recalls include Chattanooga Bakery Inc., Falcon Trading Company/SunRidge Farms, Gretchen Shoebox Express and Whole Foods Market.

The FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state and local public health officials are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections possibly linked to Trader Joe's Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter.

The CDC said 30 people were infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Bredeney from 19 states.

As part of its investigation, the FDA contacted Sunland Inc., which makes Trader Joe's Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter, and briefed Sunland on the status of the investigation.

The company then voluntarily recalled the almond butter and peanut butter products that were manufactured on the same product line as Trader Joe's Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter from May 1 to Sept. 24.

Sunland also expanded its recall to about 100 products, which include peanut butter and other products made with nuts and seeds.

"Consumers should not eat the recalled products. This is especially important for children age 5 and under, elderly adults and people with weak immune systems," FDA officials said in a statement. "Consumers should dispose of the product or return the product to the store where it was purchased."

A list of the recalled products is at: http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/CORENetwork/ucm320413.htm#contact.