Peanut Butter Recall Expands Beyond Trader Joe's

The New Mexico company whose peanut butter has been linked to a multistate Salmonella outbreak issued a massive recall of products Monday. Sunland Inc. of Portales, NM is recalling all of its almond butter and peanut butter products manufactured since May of 2012 because they may be contaminated with Salmonella Bredeney, a rare strain of Salmonella that has caused at least 29 illnesses in 18 states since June 11.  This large market withdrawal follows a more limited one initiated by Trader Joe's, which recalled its Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter Friday. As Food Safety News reported today, that peanut butter is supplied by Sunland, which has now confirmed that the recall extends to all its almond and peanut butter products, which it says were distributed nationally to large retail chains.  "There is nothing more important to us than the health and safety of our customers, particularly the many families who enjoy our peanut butter everyday," said Jimmie Shearer, President and CEO of Sunland in a statement Monday. "While FDA, CDC, and State Health Agencies investigate to confirm the cause of illnesses reported, as a precautionary step, we have decided to voluntarily recall our Almond Butter and Peanut Butter products manufactured between May 1, 2012 and September 24, 2012. If you purchased these products, do not eat them. Please return the product to your supermarket for a full refund or dispose of it." On its Facebook page the company adds "We are working very closely with FDA and will post any and all developments." Products subject to this recall include the following. The UPC code is located on the side of the jar's label below the bar code. All affected products bear a Best-If-Used-By date between May 1, 2013 and September 24, 2013. This date will be stamped by the side of the jar's label below the lid of the jar.  Consumers with questions can contact the company at 1-866-837-1018 24 hours a day for information about the recall. Customer services representatives will be available at 575-356-6638 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mountain Time.  © Food Safety News More Headlines from Food Recalls »