SC law firm files possible first Jif salmonella poisoning class action lawsuit

A South Carolina law firm says it believes it has filed the first class action lawsuit related to the Jif peanut butter salmonella poisoning recall.

The Poulin | Willey law firm, based in Charleston, S.C., announced Wednesday that it believes it had filed the first class action lawsuit against the J.M. Smucker Company over the recall.

The company on Friday recalled several Jif peanut butter products sold in the U.S. and Canada because of potential salmonella contamination. The Food and Drug Administration along with the Centers for Disease Control are investigating the outbreak. The company has encouraged customers who bought the potentially contaminated products to immediately dispose of them.

Salmonella is a bacteria that, when ingested, can cause symptoms like fever and diarrhea. In young children and older people or those with weakened immune systems, a salmonella infection can be potentially fatal.

The lawsuit states that, “[C]consumers do not know, and did not have a reason to know, that the Jif® peanut butter products purchased were contaminated with Salmonella. Consumers expect the food they purchase to be safe for consumption and not contaminated by an organism ‘which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections.’”

The recall affects Jif brand peanut butter products with lot code numbers 1274425 through 2140425, only if the first seven digits end with 425. The lot numbers are included alongside the best-if-used-by date.

Below is a list of recalled Jif peanut butter products.

• Jif® Creamy Peanut Butter

• Jif® Crunchy Peanut Butter

• Jif® Crunchy Peanut Butter (International)

• Jif® 3/4-oz peanut butter

• Jif® Natural Peanut Butter

• Jif® Peanut Butter (To Go)

• Jif® 40-oz Natural Honey Spread

• Jif® Peanut Butter (No Added Sugar)

• Jif® 13-oz. Squeezable Pouch

• Jif® 13-oz. Natural Squeezable Pouch

• Jif® Creamy Peanut Butter (Reduced Fat)

• Jif® Creamy Omega-3 Peanut Butter

• Jif® Creamy Peanut Butter (Portion Control 1.1-oz.)

• Cargill® Dark Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Eggs - 8 oz. Box