Almond, peanut butters recalled over salmonella fears

Aug. 20--Costco, Sam's Club, Trader Joe's, Walmart, Weg­mans and Whole Foods have joined the voluntary recall of almond and peanut butters suspected of salmonella contamination following the report of four possibly related illnesses.

A voluntary recall was issued Tuesday by nSpired Natural Foods Inc. of certain Arrowhead Mills peanut butters, MaraNatha almond and peanut butters, Trader Joe's Creamy Raw Almond Butter and Crunchy Raw Almond Butter, and Whole Foods Organic Creamy Roasted Almond Butter, Creamy Roasted Almond Butter and Crunchy Roasted Almond Butter. The products include those in both glass and plastic containers with best-by date ranges that run from Dec. 4, 2014, to July 21, 2015.

The packager operates under the ownership of The Hain Celestial Group, a Lake Success, New York-based company that specializes in natural and organic foods. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration alerted the packager to the possibility of contamination following routine testing, according to a statement.

Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems. Healthy people infected with the organismoften experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection can spread to the bloodstream and produce more severe illnesses, such as arterial infections, arthritis and endocarditis.

Consumers do not need to return the products to the stores where they bought them. Instead, they should dispose of the products and containers. Those seeking replacements or refunds, and those with general inquiries, should call the packager at 800-937-7008 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.

Anthony Panissidi: 732-643-4284; apanissidi@app.com

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