Six different best-if-used-by dated Skippy Reduced Fat peanut butters have been recalled by Unilever USA, because of the risk of salmonellosis – salmonella infection. The “limited recall” has been issued because of a risk of infection, which can sometimes cause complications and even death among elderly, very young, and frail individuals, Unilever announced.

The recall involves a certain number of:

  • Skippy® Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter Spread
  • Skippy® Reduced Fat Super Chunk Peanut Butter Spread

Salmonella infection, or salmonellosis is a bacterial infection of the intestinal tract. Salmonella belongs to a group of bacteria that cause gastroenteritis, enteric fever, food poisoning and typhoid. The most common way to become infected is through contaminated water, and some foods, such as meat, poultry and eggs. It is a gram-negative, rod-shaped bacilli that may cause diarrhea-type illnesses in humans.

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), about 1.4 million people in the USA are affected with salmonellosis annually, of which approximately 500 die. In 2004, 42% of all human bacterial infections were salmonella ones, followed by Campylobacter 37%, Shigella 15%, E. coli O157:H7 2.6%.

When a healthy individual has salmonellosis they generally have diarrhea (sometimes bloody), fever, vomiting, abdominal pain and nausea. Rarely, the infection can enter the bloodstream and can cause serious and life-threatening complications, such as endocarditis.

Unilever says it is liaising with the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in this recall. The company stresses that no other Skippy products are included in this recall.

The potentially affected products have reached distribution points and retail outlets in Wisconsin, Virginia, Pennsylvania, N Dakota, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Nebraska, Minnesota, Missouri, Maine, Iowa, Illinois, Delaware, Connecticut, and Arkansas.

They are packed in 16.3oz plastic jars and have the following descriptions:

  • UPC numbers 048001006812 and 048001006782. The numbers can be found below the bar code on the side of the jar’s label.
  • Best-If-Used-Dates – MAY1612LR1, MAY1712LR1, MAY1812LR1, MAY1912LR1, MAY2012LR1 and MAY2112LR1. These are stamped on the lid of the jars.

Both the FDA and Unilever say that so far there have been no reports of illnesses linked to the recalled peanut butters.

A routine sampling program by Unilever revealed that some products might contain salmonella bacteria. The risk was discovered internally, and not from outside.

If you have bought the above-mentioned products with the same UPC numbers and Best-If-Used-By dates on them, get rid of them immediately and call Unilever for a replacement coupon. You can also call a 24-hour hotline at 1-800-453-3432.

Source: FDA, Unilever USA

Written by Christian Nordqvist