The Environmental Health Division is informing the public that the J.M. Smucker Company has voluntarily recalled several Jif peanut butter products because of potential salmonella contamination.

 The contaminated products have the lot code numbers between 1274425 and 2140425 with the first seven digits ending with 425. The products were manufactured in Lexington, KY and federal regulators said that they have been tied to 14 illnesses.

The Environmental Health Division is urging consumers, restaurants, and retailers to not eat, sell, or serve any recalled Jif brand peanut butter or peanut butter products.

Consumers are asked to:

1.    Conduct a search to see it there is Jif peanut butter in their homes.

2.    Locate the lot code on the back of the jar, under the Best If Used By Date (the lot code may be next to the Best If Used By Date for cups or squeeze pouches).

3.    In the lot code, if the first four digits are between 1274 and 2140, and the next three numbers after that are '425', this means the product has been recalled and should not be consumed.

Persons who have used these recalled products are advised to wash and sanitise surfaces and utensils that were exposed to the product.  Persons are also asked to contact their healthcare provider if they have eaten the peanut butter and are having symptoms of salmonellosis.

Several retailers have taken steps to remove the product from their shelves and the Environmental Health Officers are conducting inspections to ensure the safe removal of said items.

For further information, please contact the Environmental Health Division at 284-468-5110.

 The Government of the Virgin Islands is committed to improving the health of the people of the Territory.