The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , CDC, issued a food safety alert regarding a foodborne illness outbreak of Salmonella Senftenberg from contaminated Jif Peanut butter.
Federal officials are investigating a multi-state outbreak. Currently, there are fourteen confirmed Salmonella cases from 12 different states. Two people were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
However, the true number of sick people is likely much higher.
If 100 people ate the contaminated Jif peanut butter 40 of those people, in all probability, will get sick. Ten of those people will likely be sick enough to see a doctor. If a person is sick with a foodborne illness the only way to know what made them sick is by providing a stool sample.
If three doctors ask for a stool sample and send samples to the lab, usually only one positive case is reported back to the CDC.
Having one confirmed case of a foodborne illness is significant because to get an accurate number you would have to multiply the number of confirmed cases by 40. In this outbreak it’s probably closer to 560 sick people from the contaminated peanut butter.
Most people will start showing symptoms 6 hours to 6 days after eating the contaminated peanut butter.
According to the CDC four of the five confirmed cases of Salmonella Senftenberg interviewed reported eating Jif peanut butter before getting sick, they all reported eating different types of peanut butter.
What Should You Do?
If you think you got sick from the contaminated peanut butter, contact your health care provider.
It’s important to check your kitchen for the recalled Jif peanut butter. Peanut butter has a long shelf life. If any of the recalled products are found; discontinue use, and do not eat it. Throw away the contaminated peanut butter or return to where purchased.
If the contaminated peanut butter touched a food preparation surface wash the surface with hot soapy water and use a sanitizer such as diluted bleach water. To make sanitizer water use about 1 T of plain unscented bleach per gallon of water.
The contaminated recalled peanut butter will have the identification number 1274425-2140425 and will have 425″ at the end of the first seven digits. This includes crunchy, creamy, reduced fat and natural. The number is usually found by the “best if use by” date.
Check the recall notice link above for packing description, sizes and product codes.
Consumers who have questions or would like to report adverse reactions should visit www.jif.com/contact-usExternal Link Disclaimer or call 800-828-9980 Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM ET. The peanut butter recall is in collaboration with the Food and Drug Administration.
Or you can contact your local Health Department for questions or to report a foodborne illness in Salt Lake County go to igotsick to fill out an online report.
