Salmonella scare in Skippy peanut butter

(CNS): A routine sampling undertaken by Unilever has revealed that its product Skippy Reduced Fat Peanut Butter Spread may be contaminated with Salmonella. As a result local supermarket Foster’s Food Fair said it has pulled the related products from its shelves. The voluntary limited recall by Unilever in consultation with the US Food and Drug Administration affects the products with best used dates: from MAY1612LR1 through and including MAY2112LR1 which are stamped on the lid of the jar. Until it receives further correspondence from the manufacture on this affected product, Fosters said the peanut butter would not be available.

Apologising for the inconvenience, Fosters said that the safety of customers was its top priority. “We encourage all customers who have purchased this product to return the affected product to their Foster’s Food Fair IGA of purchase for a full refund,” the grocer stated.

Salmonella 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, 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 (infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

Consumers can contact the company at 1-800-453-3432, which is operational 24 hours a day, for information on the recall. In addition, a consumer services representative is available Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30am and 6:00pm EST.