By Sue-Ann Wayow
THE local distributor for Jif peanut butter has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that the product has been recalled at the quickest possible time due to suspected salmonella contamination.
Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh said on Wednesday that he has been in contact with agent Hand Arnold, distributor for Jif® Creamy Peanut Butter 16oz and Jif® Crunchy Peanut Butter 16oz, the products being recalled.
The products are produced by US company J. M. Smucker Co.
His latest information from the agent up to 12.30 pm was that “all reasonable and above reasonable steps have been taken to identify and isolate the product.”
Deyalsingh was answering an urgent question in the Senate asked by Opposition Senator Wade Mark who questioned what measures were taken to ensure citizen’s protection from becoming potentially ill.
The question was initially asked to Minister of Trade and Industry Paula Gopee-Scoon but Deyalsingh said it fell under the remit of the Ministry of Health.
He said the agent on Saturday got an online recall notice of the recall in the US and on that same night, they also received a supplier notification.
“On Sunday 22nd May, a warehouse audit was done at Hand Arnold and all affected stock isolated in the warehouse. Their sales reps and merchandisers were then dispatched into the field at points of sale to isolate the affected stock. On Monday, there was a physical removal of the said isolated stock to the warehouses,” Deyalsingh said.
“It is material to note that the affected product Jif Crunchy and Jif Creamy 16oz was not in wide circulation at that time,” he added.
Deyalsingh said the lot numbers of the affected stock were also issued to all local partners and common signs and symptoms of persons affected by salmonella were published to raise awareness.
The product lot code range for the impacted products is 1274425 – 2140425 and is visible next to the best before date on the jar.
A website was also published on the recall.
Deyalsingh said he was given the assurance that the distributor has taken “above reasonable steps” to isolate, identify and physically remove the stocks from the channels of distribution.
Hand Arnold had issued a press release advising that all affected products have been removed from supermarket shelves and that consumers’ health and safety was of paramount importance.
The Ministry of Health also on Wednesday issued a press release with additional advice for consumers who would have purchased the product.
They are advised to the follow these steps:
-
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).
-
In the lot code, if the first four digits are between 1274 and 2140, and if the next three numbers after that are ‘425’, this product has been recalled and you should not consume this product.
-
Wash and sanitise surfaces and utensils that could have touched the product.
Some common symptoms that may be exhibited by persons infected with the Salmonella species include: fever, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pains.
“If you or a member of your family has consumed any of these products and are exhibiting any of the above symptoms, please contact your health care provider,” the ministry stated.
Members of public may also contact the Chemistry, Food and Drugs Division at 623-5242 or email cfdd@health.gov.tt for additional information.
The Ministry of Health added that it will continue to monitor this matter and advise the population as required.
