Skippy peanut butter recall

[March 08, 2011]  Unilever United States Inc. has announced a limited recall of Skippy Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter Spread and Skippy Reduced Fat Super Chunk Peanut Butter Spread, because it may be contaminated with salmonella, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

The affected product, which is packaged in 16.3-ounce plastic jars, is as follows:

• UPCs: 048001006812 and 048001006782 (located on the side of the jar's label below the bar code)

• Best-if-used-by dates: MAY1612LR1, MAY1712LR1, MAY1812LR1, MAY1912LR1, MAY2012LR1 and MAY2112LR1 (stamped on the lid of the jar)

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. No other Skippy products are affected by this recall.

The product was distributed to retail outlets in Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin.

To date, no illnesses related to this issue have been reported.

The recall was initiated as the result of a routine sampling program by the company, which revealed that these finished products may contain the bacteria.

Healthy people infected with salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (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 who have purchased Skippy Reduced Fat Peanut Butter Spread with the above UPCs and best-if-used-by dates are urged to discard the product immediately and call the company for a replacement coupon. 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 from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST. 

[Text from file received from Logan County Emergency Management Agency]