Suspected salmonella in Trader Joe’s peanut butter

Trader Joe's has pulled their Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter from store shelves after the product was linked to salmonella infections that have sickened 29 people in 18 states, reports NBC News. 

Federal health officials are warning consumers, especially children under 5 and the elderly, to stay away from the peanut butter, which is suspected to have caused a multistate Salmonella S. Bredeny outbreak.

Health departments in at least five states announced they are working with the CDC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to find the cause of 29 illnesses nationwide, including at least two cases in PA, three in MA and one in NY, RI and MD, according to Food Safety News. 

"Trader Joe's has voluntarily removed the product for sale from its stores; however, consumers who have the product in their homes should discard it and should also be aware that this product is sold online through other retail outlets," said the Pennsylvania state officials.

The Baltimore Sun reports that other products from the grocery chain may also be affected. 

The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene said Friday it was “currently advising” against consumption of the peanut butter made with sea salt and that other Trader Joe’s brand peanut products may be affected.

"Out of an abundance of caution, consumers should consider setting aside and not consuming all Trader Joe's brand peanut butter products while the investigation continues," it said in a statement. 

Symptoms of Salmonella infection included diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps from six to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts two to seven days, and most people recover without treatment.

In rare case, salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is treated with antibiotics.