According to the CDC, as of March 2, 2017, a total of 12 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coliO157:H7 were reported from five states. The number of ill people identified in each state is as follows: Arizona, (4), California (4), Maryland (1), New Jersey (1), and Oregon (2). Six ill people have been hospitalized, and four people developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a potentially life-threatening type of kidney failure. Eleven of the 12 illnesses were reported in children under the age of 18. No deaths have been reported.
Known illnesses started on dates ranging from January 6, 2017 to February 15, 2017. The epidemiologic evidence available to investigators at this time indicates that I.M. Healthy SoyNut Butter is a likely source of the outbreak. In interviews conducted by state and local health department officials, ill people or their family members answered questions about the foods they ate and other exposures in the week before they became ill. All of the nine people reached for interviews reported either eating I.M. Healthy brand SoyNut Butter at home (five people) in the week before they became ill or attending a childcare center that served I.M. Healthy brand SoyNut Butter or I.M. Healthy brand granola coated with SoyNut Butter (four people).
On March 2, 2017, the FDA and CDC held a call with the owners of the SoyNut Butter Company to advise the firm about the multistate outbreak linked to their SoyNut Butter products. The FDA’s investigation of the firm and production methods continues, and the agency will share more information as it becomes available.
CDC recommends that consumers not eat, and childcare centers and other institutions not serve, any variety or size of I.M. Healthy brand SoyNut Butter or I.M. Healthy brand granola coated with SoyNut Butter produced by SoyNut Butter Company. The CDC also urges consumers to check their pantry for SoyNut Butter products.
The SoyNut Butter Co. has announced a voluntary recall of I.M. Healthy Original Creamy SoyNut Butter with the Best By date of 08-30-18 or 08-31-18. The voluntary recall is in response to the FDA alerting us of a possible link between our product and illnesses regarding E. coli. Consumers who have purchased I.M. Healthy Original Creamy SoyNut Butter should not consume the product. The recall does not effect any other I.M. Healthy products except for the I.M. Healthy Original Creamy with the Best By date of 08-30-18 or 08-31-18.
Here is a bit(e) of an historical perspective of outbreaks in the U.S. linked to a variety of nut butters:
JULY 15 2015 Salmonella Paratyphi B linked to consumption of JEM Raw Nut Butter Spreads
On December 2, 2015 JEM Raw Chocolate LLC (JEM Raw) of Bend, Oregon announced a recall of its full line of all nut butter spreads due to possible contamination with Salmonella. Health authorities at the FDA, Oregon Health Authority, Oregon Department…Read More »
JANUARY 14 2014 Salmonella Braenderup and nut butters produced by nSpired Natural Foods
On August 21, 2014 the CDC announced a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Braenderup involving 6 people residing in Connecticut (1), Iowa (1), New Mexico (1), Tennessee (1), and Texas (2). Almond and peanut butter manufactured by nSpired Natural Foods…Read More »
JUNE 12 2012 Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Bredeney Linked to Sunland, Inc. Nut Butters
On September 22, 2012 the CDC announced a multistate outbreak of Salmonella serotype Bredeney (Cluster Code 1208MLJBX-1) linked to Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter. Collaborative efforts by local, state and federal public health and …Read More »
SEPTEMBER 08 2008 Peanut Corporation of America, Peanut Butter and Peanut Butter – Containing Products
Beginning in November, 2008, CDC (Centers for Disease Control) PulseNet staff noted a small and highly dispersed, multistate cluster of Salmonella Typhimurium isolates. The outbreak consisted of two pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) defined clusters …Read More »
AUGUST 06 2006 ConAgra Peter Pan and Great Value Peanut Butter
In November, 2006, public health officials detected a substantial increase in reports of Salmonella Tennessee isolates. In February, 2007, a multistate, case-control study linked the consumption of either Peter Pan or Great Value Peanut Butter brand…Read More »
Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm, is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of E. coli outbreaks and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The E. coli lawyers of Marler Clark have represented thousands of victims of E. coli and other foodborne illness infections and have recovered over $600 million for clients. Marler Clark is the only law firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation. Our E. coli lawyers have litigated E. coli and HUS cases stemming from outbreaks traced to ground beef, raw milk, lettuce, spinach, sprouts, and other food products. The law firm has brought E. coli lawsuits against such companies as Jack in the Box, Dole, ConAgra, Cargill, and Jimmy John’s. We have proudly represented such victims as Brianne Kiner, Stephanie Smith and Linda Rivera.
If you or a family member became ill with an E. coli infection or HUS after consuming food and you’re interested in pursuing a legal claim, contact the Marler Clark E. coli attorneys for a free case evaluation.