PA Health Department: Discard Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter Due to Salmonella Concerns

The Pennsylvania Department of Health is advising consumers that Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter made with sea salt may be related to a multi-state outbreak of salmonella.

The department is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and public health officials in several states to investigate the outbreak. Nationally, there have been 29 cases of illness with two cases reported in Pennsylvania, according to a health department statement.

The local Trader Joe's is along Penn Avenue in East Liberty.

Trader Joe’s has voluntarily removed the product for sale from its stores; however, consumers who have the product in their homes should discard it and should also be aware that this product is sold online through other retail outlets.

Additionally, the department advises anyone who recently consumed Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter made with sea salt and then became ill to consult their healthcare provider, local health department, or call the Department of Health at 1-877-PA-HEALTH.

Symptoms of salmonella infection included diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 6 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 2 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment.

However, in some cases, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient requires hospitalization. Older adults, infants and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness from salmonella infection.

For more information on salmonella, visit www.health.state.pa.us.