
Authorities are scrambling after a popular health food caused a big E. coli outbreak in multiple states across the nation.
A dozen people, including children, have come down with E. coli in five states, and authorities think they have narrowed it down to a likely suspect: I.M. Healthy SoyNut Butter, a substitute for peanut butter. The disease required six people to be hospitalized, with four developing a type of kidney failure known as hemolytic uremic syndrome.
Of the 12 who were infected, 11 were under the age of 18. They are from Arizona, California, Maryland, New Jersey and Oregon. No deaths have been reported yet, but authorities are telling people to throw out all varieties and sizes of SoyNut Butter, and the brand of granola sold by I.M. Healthy that is coated with SoyNut Butter.
The company is voluntarily recalling the product, including any that were purchased with a best by date of Aug. 30 and Aug. 31, 2018, but the recall won’t affect any other products even though authorities say to get rid of them.
“The SoyNut Butter Co. has announced a voluntary recall of our of I.M. Healthy Original Creamy SoyNut Butter with the Best By date of 08-30-18 or 08-31-18,” the company said in a statement. “The voluntary recall is in response to the FDA alerting us of a possible link between our product and illnesses regarding E.coli. While we are taking the necessary investigative steps in getting the product in question and the supply chain tested, we decided to issue the recall for the sake of food safety. We take our products integrity seriously and will update all our customers as we receive more information.
“Consumers who have purchased I.M. Healthy Original Creamy SoyNut Butter should not consume the product. The recall does not effect any other I.M. Healthy products except for the I.M. Healthy Original Creamy with the Best By date of 08-30-18 or 08-31-18. For questions or concerns, please call our office at 800-288-1012.”
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