Bend co. recalls nut butter spread due to salmonella risk

JEM Raw Chocolate, LLC of Bend announced Wednesday a voluntary recall of its full line of all nut butter spreads within expiry 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.

Health authorities, including the Food and Drug Administration, Oregon Health Authority, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Center for Disease Control have linked the illnesses to person(s) who have consumed nut spreads, including JEM Raw products.

There have been eleven illnesses reported, but no deaths or hospitalizations to date.

In light of this investigation, and with an abundance of caution, JEM Raw has initiated a voluntary recall of all products and sizes, packaged in glass jars, and sold under brand name JEM Raw Organics.

To get more specifics, read the full news release posted on the FDA website.