Natural Peanut Butter Chunky on the leftThe Smucker's peanut butter recall has slapped me out of my complacent food safety nap. Usually when there's a product recall, I glance at the brand name and move on. Being the whole-foods, from-scratch, granola-type that I am, it's always some product I never use anyway. But when I heard "Smucker's Natural," I thought, WHAT? Smucker's who? That's the peanut butter WE buy! I put down my peanut butter toast and cried.
Smucker's is recalling its Natural Peanut Butter Chunky because of possible salmonella contamination. The recall is for jars purchased in the last week with "Best Used By" dates August 3, 2012 and August 4, 2012 and/or production codes 1307004 and 1308004. No illnesses have been reported. Check out this list of states where the peanut butter was distributed. And then, join me in mourning my favorite peanut butter.
Okay, so two thoughts here: 1) Phew, we always get the Smooth Natural Peanut Butter, not the Chunky, but 2) hey, what does this mean about the safety of Smucker's peanut butter in general? If something goes wrong with one of their lines, doesn't that cast the whole operation under a dark cloud? What's different about the chunky side of things that couldn't also happen to the smooth side of things?
Oh Smucker's Natural Peanut Butter. I loved you in spite of your annoying layer of peanut oil on the top of the jar, which I had to stir myself. Can I overlook this new flaw? Can I just shrug off the risk like this mom and go on loving you?
One thing makes me feel a little bit better -- at least this recall is relatively small so far. Compare this with the Great Peanut Butter Recall of 2009. Eight people died and over 1,000 products were affected! Compare that with 3,000 jars of just one Smucker's product recalled, plus 16,000 jars still at the warehouse that never went out -- that's 16,000 jars of peanut butter that will never make anyone sick. Looks to me like someone in this situation was proactive and decided to act quickly on a possible problem before it became a widespread disaster. Maybe there's hope for food safety, after all?
Are you worried about the Smucker's Natural Peanut Butter recall?
Image via Smucker's
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Comments 41
We use Skippy natural. It's the new kind that doesn't need to be stirred for an hour before it's back to a normal consistency.
We use Jiff, but still its a little scary because it seems like every year now there has been some type of peanut butter recall! hopefully no one will get sick! I do love smuckers jellies though! yum! haha
It is kind of depressing that harmful contaminants in our food is a possibility. As a parent it is awful to worry if the food we buy from trusted brands is going to make our children sick, or worse. Smuckers Natural Creamy Peanut Butter is the kind I always pick up at the store, so apparently there is no threat of contamination, or is there? If all of Smuckers products are manufactured in the same place that doesn't really make me feel any safer. But, it is very reassuring that it was found out about before all the peanut butter was sold.
Jessi, you are sorely mistaken and your lack of knowledge on the labels of food is even more disappointing. ANY food can be labeled "natural" - not every food can be labeled "organic". And to say organic cleanliness standards are lower than GMO standards is laughable. Do some research, please. And FYI, the peanut butter and almond butter we use is from MaraNatha - not Jiff or Smuckers or Peter Pan. Good luck with those if you choose to buy. It's your health, not mine.
Oh yeah, point me in the direction to the last recall on organic foods....if you can.
I just bought Smuckers Goober (peanut butter and jelly in one jar) hubby thinks I should toss it too.
Man, our state is on the list :( So glad that last couple of jars have been smooth. I'll be checking out Target brand now....
We don't buy that brand of PB, but that is scary.
Well I did get sick and I am still sick FYI SALMONELLA is VERY CONTAGIOUS!! Bought my Favorite peanut butter in Maryland !!