Key Takeaways
- Jif peanut butter is once again safe to eat.
- The CDC and FDA have declared the end of a Jif peanut butter salmonella outbreak, which previously caused the company to recall 49 products this June.
After a brief hiatus, it is once again peanut butter jelly time.
A salmonella outbreak forced peanut butter company Jif to issue a voluntary recall of 49 products in June. Only yesterday did the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) declare the outbreak over.
Jif claims to have removed impacted jars from store shelves, but it’s up to consumers to make sure that salmonella-tainted spreads aren’t lingering in their homes.
What Happened?
The Jif salmonella outbreak impacted a range of spreads and squeezes, including some of Jif’s creamy peanut butters, crunchy peanut butters, to-go packs, and squeezable pouches. The contamination likely originated from a J.M. Smucker manufacturing company in Lexington, Kentucky.
Jif voluntarily recalled these products. Afterwards, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted some additional recalls for other food products that used Jif peanut butter, like certain snack cups or chocolates.
Despite the potential widespread contamination, only 21 illnesses and four hospitalizations were reported nationwide.
Which Products Were Recalled?
Although the salmonella outbreak is over, products listed in Jif’s initial recall are not magically decontaminated. They are still not safe to eat.
Because unopened peanut butter can last in the pantry from between six to nine months, it can’t hurt to double check your stock.
You can view a full list of impacted products here.
So, Can You Eat Jif Peanut Butter?
For now, Jif peanut butter has the FDA OK, as long as you are consuming a new product, and not one listed above.
People who find impacted Jif products should discard them and wash and sanitize surfaces and utensils that may have touched the peanut butter.
Anyone who eats contaminated peanut butter and develops symptoms of salmonellosis (watery diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, nausea, and vomiting) should contact their healthcare provider.
Consumers can also file a recall claim with Jif online, call the company at 1-800-828-9980, or contact them at jif.com/contact-us.
What This Means For You
Jif peanut butter is once again safe to eat, so long as you don’t consume a product listed in the company’s June recall for salmonella.
Customers who find a recalled product in their home can file a recall claim with Jif online, call the company at 1-800-828-9980, or contact them at jif.com/contact-us. People who experience illness should contact a healthcare provider.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
By Claire Wolters
Claire Wolters is a former staff reporter covering health news for Verywell. She is most passionate about stories that cover real issues and spark change.
Thanks for your feedback!
FAQs
The CDC has declared that an outbreak of infections from Salmonella Senftenberg in Jif peanut butter is over, and the FDA investigation has been closed. The outbreak had 21 patients confirmed infected across 17 states.
Is Jif peanut butter ok now? ›
Key Takeaways. Jif peanut butter is once again safe to eat. The CDC and FDA have declared the end of a Jif peanut butter salmonella outbreak, which previously caused the company to recall 49 products this June.
Is Jif Salmonella recall refunded? ›
Consumers with product impacted by the recall can contact us through jif.com/contact-us or 800-828-9980 M-F 8:00am – 5:00pm EST to coordinate reimbursem*nt.
Is Jif peanut butter back on the shelves? ›
We are working as efficiently as possible to return our products to store shelves. We have resumed accepting orders from our retail customers for peanut butter and products should be back on shelves a few weeks after orders are placed.
How long can Salmonella live in peanut butter? ›
If peanuts come in contact with a pathogen after roasting, the Salmonella can survive, often for many months. Once alive in a jar of peanut butter, some Salmonella bacteria have been found to survive up to 24 weeks (Burtett, et al., 2001).
Was Jif ever called Jiffy? ›
Well, if you are a person who has been on this planet for several decades, you may recall that Jif peanut butter was once called Jiff or Jiffy peanut butter. Do you recall that? If you do, which many of my friends and I do, it never happened. Jif has always been Jif, with one "f" and no "y".
Is it safe to eat peanut butter? ›
Eating peanut butter in moderation provides you with wholesome nutrients. However, eating too much can make you gain weight because it is packed with calories and fats. The risk of weight gain increases even more if you consume commercial peanut butter brands, which often have added sugars, oils, and fats.
What happens if I eat recalled peanut butter? ›
Symptoms, including diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps, develop within 12 to 72 hours after you eat the infected food. Older and much younger folks usually feel it the worst. If you think you got ill from eating a product containing peanut butter, the FDA and CDC suggest you consult your doctor.
Can I take my recalled peanut butter back to the store? ›
There is a growing list of grocers and retailers who have indicated that they'll provide a refund to customers directly in stores. Costco, for example, instructs its members to throw away impacted Jif peanut butter and to go to their nearest club for a full refund.
Can I sue Jif for giving me salmonella? ›
Under product liability laws, injured parties can hold companies liable for manufacturing defects in their products. If you suffered from Salmonella or another illness caused by Jif peanut butter, we can help you recover compensation for your medical bills and other damages.
Avoid big brands of peanut butter such as Jif, Peter Pan, and Skippy, which often contain added sugar. And just because the label says it's “natural peanut butter” doesn't mean there isn't added sugar, so be sure to read the ingredients. Only share peanut butter that's raw, unsalted, and free of artificial sweeteners.
How do you know which Jif peanut butter is recalled? ›
Recall information from the FDA advises that consumers, restaurants, and retailers should not eat, sell, or serve any recalled Jif brand peanut butter that have lot code numbers 1274425 through 2140425, only if the first seven digits end with 425 (see photo example and Product List with UPC Codes below).
Is Jif peanut butter good to eat? ›
Jif and Skippy peanut butter can both fit into a balanced diet. Like other brands, these peanut butters are a good source of protein, fat, and fiber. However, when possible, it's best to opt for peanut butter varieties that contain fewer ingredients and are free of added sugar.
What brand of peanut butter is safe for dogs? ›
The Good Stuff: Safe Peanut Butter for Dogs
Some good brands that are dog-friendly include: Whole Foods 365 Everyday Value Organic Peanut Butter. Trader Joe's Peanut Butter (No Salt) Teddie Super Chunky Peanut Butter.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Claire_KVphoto-04695bccffaf4b739bb0db5c53fab0f4.JPG "Jif Peanut Butter's Salmonella Outbreak Has Ended Smoothly (1)")
