Collaborative investigation efforts of state, local, and federal public health and regulatory agencies indicate that Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter made with Sea Salt, manufactured by Sunland, Inc. of Portales, New Mexico, is a likely source of this outbreak.
On October 12, 2012, Sunland, Inc. expanded its ongoing recall to include raw and roasted shelled and in-shell peanuts. FDA testing has found the presence of Salmonella bacteria in raw peanuts from the peanut processing facility.
On October 13, 2012, FDA analysis confirmed that environmental samples showing the presence of Salmonella in Sunland’s nut butter facility match the outbreak strain of Salmonella Bredeney.
A total of 35 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Bredeney have been reported from 19 states. The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: Arizona (1), California (5), Connecticut (3), Illinois (1), Louisiana (1), Massachusetts (3), Maryland (1), Michigan (1), Minnesota (1), Missouri (2), Nevada (1), New Jersey (2), New York (1), North Carolina (1), Pennsylvania (2), Rhode Island (1), Texas (5), Virginia (1), and Washington (2).