E. coli Infections Linked to Soynut Butter Products
CDC and FDA Investigating Outbreak in Several States
People usually get sick from Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) 2-8 days (average of 3-4 days) after swallowing the germ. Most of the ill people are young children, and several of them have developed a serious complication from their infection called hemolytic uremic syndrome (a type of kidney failure).
The children got sick after eating a soynut butter product made by the SoyNut Butter Co. under the brand “I.M. Healthy.” As a result, the company recalled the following products:
- All varieties of I.M. Healthy SoyNut Butters
- All varieties of I.M. Healthy Granola products
- Dixie Diner’s Club brand Carb Not Beanit Butter
Advice to Childcare Centers, Schools, and Other Institutions
- Childcare centers, schools, and other institutions should not serve any of the recalled products, regardless of the date of purchase or the date listed on the container.
- Even if some of the product was eaten or served and no one got sick, throw the rest of it away. Put it in a sealed bag in the trash so that children, pets, or other animals can’t eat it.
- Check your institution’s food storage area for recalled products. Some of these products have a shelf life of 2 years.