Jif Just Recalled Tons of Its Peanut Butter Due to Potential Salmonella Contamination

There’s nothing more all-American than peanut butter—no wonder we all keep a jar in the pantry. But hot on the heels of a Skippy recall in March, we’re seeing another peanut butter brand pull its products from stores. This time, it’s Jif, and the peanut butter recall affects many products across the country.

Thankfully, it’s not that hard to make homemade peanut butter.

What Caused the Recall?

According to an announcement by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), JM Smucker, the parent company of Jif peanut butter, issued a recall due to potential salmonella contamination. The reason? There’s a a multi-state outbreak of food poisoning affecting at least 16 people and resulting in two hospitalizations.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “of the 10 people interviewed, 10 (100%) reported eating peanut butter prior to becoming ill. Nine people reported brand information, and all nine (100%) reported eating different varieties of Jif brand peanut butter.”  The outbreak has affected people in 12 states so far: Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Missouri, Ohio, North Carolina, New York, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Washington.

Salmonella is a bacteria that is typically associated with foodborne illness and results in fever, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea. It’s a common cause of food poisoning, and can get serious in certain situations. Don’t miss the signs of food poisoning everyone should know.

How Do I Know If I Bought a Recalled Product?

The outbreak was linked to a JM Smucker factory in Lexington, Kentucky. It affects products with the lot codes 1274425 – 2140425. Look for lot codes near the best-by date. The FDA has released a full list of recalled Jif products. Since the products were distributed nationwide, the recall is not restricted to states where people are already sick. No matter where you live, it’s important to check your pantry for recalled Jif products.

Shortly after, another recall was issued—this time affecting products under other brands that used reprocessed or repackaged Jif peanut butter in their products. It’s equally important to check your pantry for these as well.

What Should I Do Next?

If you have any of the affected products in your pantry, dispose of them immediately. Under no circumstances should you consume any of the affected products, even if you have already opened the jar. You should also sanitize surfaces and utensils that could have touched the peanut butter. If you develop any of the symptoms of salmonella poisoning, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

If you have questions or would like to report adverse reactions, visit www.jif.com/contact-us or call 800-828-9980 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.