The Food and Drug Department is recalling Skippy Reduced Fat Peanut Butter Spread and Skippy Reduced Fat Super Chunk Peanut Butter Spread because they may be contaminated with salmonella.
In a press release the Department said this recall was initiated by Unilever United States Inc in cooperation with the US Food and Drug Administration.
The affected product which is packaged in 16.3oz plastic jars is as follows: UPCs: 048001006812 and 048001006782 (located on the side of the jar’s label below the bar code). They also boast Best-If-Used-By dates: May1612LR1, May1712LR1, May1812LR1, May1912LR1, May2012LR1 and May2112LR1stamped on the lid of the jars.
No other Skippy products are affected by this recall, the release said. It noted too that although salmonella has been linked to serious or even fatal illness for young children, the elderly and those with weak immune systems, healthy persons infected with salmonella often suffer fever, diarrhoea (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 (that is infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
“Unilever says so far it is not aware of any illnesses related to the contaminated peanut butter,” the Department stated. The company reportedly discovered the contamination during a routine sampling of the product. The Department also said so far it has not detected the infected batches on the domestic market however; it advises wholesalers, retailers and consumers to call telephone numbers 222-8857-60 if any of the infected batches are discovered.
