by Aimee Keenan-Greene

A routine sampling by Unilever has led the manufacturer to recall their Skippy Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter Spread and Skippy Reduced Fat Super Chunk Peanut Butter Spread due to possible salmonella contamination.

Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail, elderly and other people with weakened immune systems.

Salmonella symptoms include fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis.

So far no illnesses have been reported.

The product in question is not believed to have been distributed in Rhode Island or Massachusetts, but it was however sent to Connecticut.

The product was also distributed to retail outlets in Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin.

The affected product, is packaged in 16.3 oz plastic jars labeled:

UPCs: 048001006812 and 048001006782 (located on the side of the jar’s label below the bar code.)

Best-If-Used-By Dates: MAY1612LR1, MAY1712LR1, MAY1812LR1, MAY1912LR1, MAY2012LR1 and MAY2112LR1 (Stamped on the lid of the jar.)

Consumers who have purchased Skippy Reduced Fat Peanut Butter Spread are urged to discard the product immediately and call the company for a replacement coupon.

Consumers can contact the company at 1-800-453-3432 24 hours a day.

Remember, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, you should wait until your child is 3 years old before they begin eating peanut butter.