Earth Balance Voluntarily Recalls Natural Almond Butter and Flaxseed (16 oz.) Because of Possible Health Risk

Earth Balance Almond Butter product with "Best By" dates between May 2013 and September 2013 is being recalled because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The recalled Earth Balance Almond Butter was distributed nationally through retail stores.

The product comes in a 16 ounce, clear plastic jar with a green label and green cap with a "Best By" date between May 2013 and September 2013 stamped on the top of the cap. The recall is limited to this single SKU of the Earth Balance Almond Butter product and does not extend to any other Earth Balance products. The only affected Earth Balance UPC is 3377610090.

No Earth Balance peanut butter products (including the new Coconut Peanut Spread) are involved in this recall (they are manufactured at a different facility in Georgia and are not in any way associated with Sunland).

No illnesses have been reported to date with consumption of the Earth Balance Almond Butter.

Sunland reports that between June 11, 2012 and September 2, 2012, twenty-nine people reported Salmonella Bredeney PFGE matching illnesses in approximately 18 states, including Washington, California, Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Missouri, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, North Carolina, Virginia, Connecticut, New Jersey and Maryland.

Customers who purchased this item are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 201-421-3970 or visit www.EarthBalanceNatural.com.

SOURCE Earth Balance