Nut butters at Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods recalled

Earth Balance, a division of GFA Brands, Inc. based in Niwot, Colo., announced Sept. 25 that it is cooperating fully with the Sunland Inc. recall of nut butter products manufactured by Sunland at its New Mexico facility between May and September 2012.

The products in question include Creamy Salted Valencia Peanut Butter sold at Trader Joe’s and Earth Balance Almond Butter available at retail stores including Whole Foods Markets.

Only the Earth Balance Almond Butter product with “Best By” dates between May 2013 and September 2013 is being recalled.

Like the previously recalled Creamy Salted Valencia Peanut Butter manufactured by Sunland, the Almond Butter is being recalled because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The recalled Earth Balance Almond Butter comes in a 16 ounce, clear plastic jar with a green label and green cap with a “Best By” date between May 2013 and September 2013 stamped on the top of the cap. The recall is limited to this single SKU of the Earth Balance Almond Butter product and does not extend to any other Earth Balance products. The only affected Earth Balance UPC is 3377610090.

No illnesses have been reported to date with consumption of the Earth Balance Almond Butter.

However, Sunland reports that between June 11 and September 2, 29 people reported illnesses in approximately 18 states, Missouri and Illinois that have been linked to the Trader Joe’s Creamy Salted Valencia Peanut Butter. 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.

Sunland is recalling both nut 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.

Other brand names included in the Sunland recall are: Archer Farms, 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.

Customers who purchased this item are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.