The CDC has declared that the Salmonella Paratyphi B variant L(+) tartrate (+) outbreak linked to JEM Raw Brand Sprouted Nut Butter spreads is over after sickening 13 people in 10 states. JEM Raw Chocolate recalled its full line of all nut butter spreads in December 2015 after the outbreak was announced.
The case count by state is: California (1), Colorado (1), Georgia (1), Hawaii (1), Idaho (1), Illinois (1), Maine (1), North Carolina (1), New Jersey (1), and Oregon (4). Illness onset dates ranged from July 18, 2015 to November 22, 2015. Patients ranged in age from less than 1 year to 79 years. No people were hospitalized in this outbreak, and no deaths were reported.
The outbreak appears to be over, but these products have a long shelf life and still may be in consumers’ pantries and cupboards. People who not aware of this outbreak and recall may still have some of these items in their homes. Check your shelves to make sure you don’t have any of the recalled products. If you do, throw them away in a sealed bag or container and wash your hands carefully.
Epidemiological evidence indicates that JEM Raw brand sprouted nut butter spreads were the likely source of this outbreak. All of the 10 people interviewed reported eating nut butters or nut butter spreads the week before they got sick, and 80% of those people specifically reported eating JEM Raw brand sprouted nut butter spread.
The outbreak strain was new to the PulseNet database, where DNA of bacteria are collected and categorized. DNA fingerprinting of bacteria is performed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Only one DNA fingerprint of the outbreak strain was included in this particular outbreak. The PulseNet system was used to identify people sickened in this outbreak.
If you ate JEM Raw nut butter spreads and experienced the symptoms of Salmonella food poisoning, see your doctor. Then call our experienced attorneys to protect your legal rights at 1-888-377-8900 or fill out our free consultation form.
Attorney Fred Pritzker, who has won millions for clients sickened by food, said, “a lawsuit is often the only way to get access to information that will help determine why, when, and how a product was contaminated with Salmonella bacteria.” This bacteria is often found on raw food products, including produce, and can cause serious illness.
The symptoms of Salmonella food poisoning include diarrhea that may be bloody, fever, and abdominal cramps. The symptoms usually appear 12 to 72 hours after exposure to the pathogenic bacteria. While most people recover without medical treatment, some people become so ill they must be hospitalized.
In addition, the long term consequences of a Salmonella infection can be serious, even if the infection was mild. Reiter’s Syndrome can cause reactive arthritis and eye problems. Some people can suffer from high blood pressure or irritable bowel syndrome after this infection. It’s important that your doctor has a record of this illness on your chart. And that you protect yourself by contacting our experienced attorneys.