Lake Success, NY: MaraNatha®, under advice from its co-manufacturer of sunflower seed butter, is voluntarily recalling a limited number of retail lots of MaraNatha® All Natural Sunflower Seed Butter because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Product information is as follows:

 

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The potential for contamination was noted after notification was received from SunOpta, the sunflower seed supplier, pertaining to positive Listeria monocytogenes results. No reports of illness from Listeria have been reported to the company.

Products were distributed across the United States and Mexico. The products also were available for purchase on the internet. Distribution dates for this product ranged from September 25, 2015 thru April 18, 2016.

The use-by date can be found on the top of the jar lid. The company is currently working with customers and retailers to remove and destroy products with the above use-by dates from store shelves and warehouses. No other MaraNatha® products are impacted by this recall.

The recall is being made with the knowledge of the FDA.

Consumers do not need to return the product to the store where it was purchased. Instead, consumers are urged to dispose of the recalled product and its container. Please contact MaraNatha at 1-800-958-3772 between the hours of 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM EST for a refund, and with general inquiries.

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