Peanut butter, a beloved staple in pantries worldwide, is generally safe to consume. However, manufacturing flaws, contamination, or lax safety standards have occasionally led to product recalls. Here are 13 notable peanut butter recalls, spanning issues from bacterial contamination to foreign material hazards, to help consumers stay informed.
1. Jif Peanut Butter and the 2022 Salmonella Outbreak
In 2022, J.M. Smucker’s Jif peanut butter faced a massive recall after a multistate salmonella outbreak. The FDA traced the outbreak to a strain of salmonella found in Jif products, with reports of illnesses in both Canada and the United States. Products and prepared foods using Jif, such as chicken salads sold on Amazon, were also pulled. The severity prompted the FDA to issue a public warning to the company.
2. Peanut Corporation of America: A Historic Scandal
In 2009, the Peanut Corporation of America was linked to one of the deadliest foodborne illness outbreaks. Contaminated peanut butter from its Georgia plant caused hundreds of illnesses and nine deaths. Investigations revealed appalling plant conditions, including cockroach infestations and unaddressed salmonella-positive test results. The company’s president was sentenced to 28 years in prison.
3. Skippy’s Stainless Steel Contamination (2022)
Skippy recalled over 160,000 pounds of peanut butter in 2022 after discovering fragments of stainless steel in its products. The contamination, caused by equipment malfunctions, affected three popular varieties. While no injuries were reported, the recall highlighted the risks of foreign material contamination in food production.
4. Sunland Inc.’s Extensive 2012 Recall
Sunland Inc. recalled a range of peanut and almond butters in 2012 due to salmonella concerns. Linked to 29 reported illnesses across 18 states, the recall spanned five months of production. The extensive timeframe made the recall particularly challenging for the company.
5. 2018 Inspired Organics Recall Over Listeria
Listeria contamination prompted Inspired Organics to recall its peanut butter, almond butter, and tahini in 2018. This recall spanned the U.S. and Canada, affecting multiple batches without specific date limitations. The incident underscored the ongoing challenge of bacterial safety in organic food production.
6. Aflatoxin in South African Peanut Butters (2024)
In 2024, South Africa’s House of Natural Butters recalled several brands due to aflatoxin contamination. This fungal toxin thrives in warm climates and poses severe health risks, including liver damage and cancer. The recall emphasized the need for stringent quality control in hot, humid regions.
7. Winn-Dixie Recall for Toxin Levels (2003)
In 2003, Winn-Dixie voluntarily recalled 223,000 pounds of peanut butter due to high aflatoxin levels. Although the FDA classified the risk as less severe, the supermarket chain acted promptly to protect consumers.
8. Kraft Foods’ Salmonella Crisis in Australia (1996)
Australia faced a significant salmonella outbreak in 1996, traced to Kraft Foods’ peanut butter. Unsanitary peanuts contaminated with mouse droppings were used in production, sickening over 500 people. Kraft faced lawsuits and a massive loss in consumer trust.
9. ConAgra’s Peter Pan Salmonella Incident (2007)
ConAgra recalled its Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butters after a salmonella outbreak linked to its Georgia plant. Over 700 people were sickened, and the company was later fined $11.2 million for failing to address contamination risks identified in prior inspections.
10. Skippy’s Metal Contamination (2015)
In 2015, Skippy faced another recall when metal shavings from manufacturing equipment were found in its peanut butter. Although the contaminated batches were slated for destruction, some escaped into the market, forcing the company to retrieve 153 cases.
11. J.M. Smucker’s 2011 Recall
In 2011, J.M. Smucker recalled 3,000 jars of its natural chunky peanut butter due to salmonella detected in routine testing. The affected jars had been shipped to 24 states, making it a complex but relatively small-scale recall.
12. Suma Organic Peanut Butter Recall (2015)
In the UK, Suma recalled its crunchy organic peanut butter in 2015 over fears of choking hazards from unidentified foreign objects. The incident raised questions about food safety in organic products.
13. Skippy Reduced Fat Recall for Salmonella (2011)
Skippy’s Reduced Fat Creamy and Super Chunk peanut butters were recalled in 2011 after salmonella was found during quality checks. Affected jars were distributed across 16 states, primarily in the northeastern U.S..
Conclusion
While peanut butter recalls are rare, they often involve serious risks such as bacterial contamination, aflatoxins, or foreign materials. By staying informed about recalls and checking batch numbers, consumers can better protect their health and enjoy this pantry staple safely.
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