Jif peanut butter, which is owned by the J.M. Smucker Company, recently announced a nationwide recall of various peanut butter products due to a salmonella contamination risk. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) joined Jif in announcing that recent salmonella outbreaks in 12 states could have links to the popular peanut butter brand. Out of an abundance of caution, the recall was expanded to the entire country.
According to Jif, the potentially contaminated peanut butter jar products are labeled with lot codes between 1274425 and 2140425. For example, lot code 1352425 is part of the recall because it falls between the two designated digits and ends in 425.
Here’s how to find the lot code on your Jif peanut butter jar:
- Look at the back of the jar to find the “Best If Used By Date” section.
- There should be a string of seemingly random numbers.
- Only the first seven digits represent the lot code.
Additionally, several candy products that include Jif peanut butter have been recalled, such as Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Eggs, Milk Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Meltaways, and Peanut Butter Fudge candies. All forms of recalled candy have a lot number that starts with 220 and a use-by-date no later than 6/2/2022.
At this point, more than a dozen people have fallen ill due to salmonella contamination that likely came from the Jif peanut butter products. At least two of those people have required hospitalization.
What to Do If You Have a Recalled Jif Product
If you have a Jif peanut butter or candy product that has been recalled, then you should immediately seal the product, place it in a tamper-proof container, and store it out of reach of children and pets and in a cool location. Thoroughly disinfect any surface the contaminated product touched. If you are not sure if the peanut butter is contaminated, you should err on the side of caution and assume that it is.
Jif is offering refunds to people who send the product back to them. However, this is not recommended at this time. If lawsuits form against Jif for exposing consumers to salmonella due to negligent manufacturing processes, then the jar of peanut butter that you bought could be the best piece of evidence you have. Don’t hand it to the defendant.
Will Jif Be Sued for the Recall?
It is not known if legal action will be taken against Jif and J.M. Smucker Company for the salmonella contamination scare. If the outbreak grows and the link to Jif’s peanut butter products strengthens, then the likelihood of consumer lawsuits forming will increase.
In the past, cases have formed and succeeded over similar food product recalls, though. Importantly, in such cases, many plaintiffs have a valid claim even if they did not get sick. Simply purchasing the product and being put at risk of salmonella exposure might justify a claim or allow an individual to join a plaintiff class, should one be created. This is another reason why you should not immediately discard the peanut butter but instead keep it in a cool and secure location for now.
Robert Peirce & Associates, P.C. is investigating the ongoing Jif salmonella case to see if legal action or a larger consumer class action lawsuit will be warranted. If you think you fell ill due to or were exposed to contaminated Jif peanut butter, then please call (844) 383-0565 now. The more potential clients we hear from about this recall, the stronger each case against Jif can eventually become. Our attorneys can advocate for clients in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia.