Updated July 27, 2022, to include final information at the outbreak’s end. A multistate Salmonella outbreak linked to Jif peanut butter has ended after sickening 21 people in 17 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Four people were hospitalized.
A nationwide recall was issued for multiple varieties of Jif including creamy, crunchy, natural, and honey sold in a variety of sizes. In addition, dozens of products containing peanut butter were recalled.
Between February 20, 2022, and May 24, 2022, 21 people, ranging in age from less than 1 year old to 85 years old, became infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Senftenberg.
Whole genome sequencing performed on the Salmonella samples collected from these sick people, revealed that the genetic fingerprints of the strains were closely related to each other, meaning the outbreak patients likely ate the same contaminated food. The genetic fingerprint of the Salmonella Senftenberg outbreak strain was also closely related to an environmental sample that the FDA collected in 2010 from the J.M. Smucker Co. facility in Lexington, KY where some Jif brand peanut butter is produced.
Health officials interviewed 13 of the patients about foods they ate during the week before they became ill. All of them said they had eaten peanut butter. And all 13 said the brand they ate was Jif.
Symptoms of a Salmonella infection, which include fever, nausea, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea that can be bloody, usually develop within six to 72 hours of exposure.
The number of cases reported from each state is: Arizona (1), Arkansas (1), Florida (1) Georgia (2), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Massachusetts (1), Michigan (1) Missouri (2), New York (1), North Carolina (2), Ohio (1) South Carolina (1), Texas (2), Virginia (1), Washington (1) and West Virginia (1).
Salmonella Lawyers with Experience
If you or a family member has been sickened by Jif peanut butter that was contaminated with Salmonella and you would like a free consultation with a Salmonella lawyer, please contact the Pritzker Hageman Salmonella Legal Team. Our attorneys have represented clients in every major Salmonella outbreak in the U.S. You can reach us by calling 1-888-377-8900, sending a text to 612-261-0856, or completing the form below. There is no obligation and we don’t get paid unless we win.