Skippy Products Recalled

Unilever United States Inc. has announced a limited recall of Skippy Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter Spread and Skippy Reduced Fat Super Chunk Peanut Butter Spread.

The recall was announced because the products may be contaminated with salmonella, according to a release issued by the federal Food and Drug Administration.

Salmonella is an organism that 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, 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, endocarditis and arthritis.

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the FDA. No other Skippy products are affected by this recall.

The products were distributed to retail outlets in Connecticut, Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin.

Here are the details:

• The products are packaged in 16.3 oz plastic jars.
• The products have the UPCs 048001006812 and 048001006782 (located on the side of the jar’s label below the bar code.)
• Best-If-Used-By Dates are MAY1612LR1, MAY1712LR1, MAY1812LR1, MAY1912LR1, MAY2012LR1 and MAY2112LR1 (Stamped on the lid of the jar.)

To date, no illnesses related to this issue have been reported, according to the FDA.

The FDA said the recall was initiated as the result of a routine sampling program by the company, which revealed that the products may contain the bacteria.

Consumers who have purchased affected products are urged to discard the product immediately and call the company for a replacement coupon. Consumers can contact the company at 800-453-3432, 24 hours a day, for information on the recall.

Consumer services representatives are available Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. EST.