UPDATE: Inspired Organics is Now Recalling Almond Butter
UPDATE: 12/18/2018 — In addition to their sunflower butter, Inspired Organics has expanded their earlier recall to include their Organic Almond Butter. After discovering the potential sunflower butter contamination, Inspired Organics began testing their other products for Listeria monocytogenes out of an abundance of caution, and some of their tests of almond butter came back positive.
Image courtesy of Inspired Organics
Like the sunflower butter, the almond butter was distributed exclusively by Lipari Foods, and was sent to retail stores throughout Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
The only product included in the expanded recall is their 16-oz. Organic Almond Butter, which has a best by date of February 2020. You can also check for the UPC number 863669742540 with the lot number 239 and the Lipari item number 967067.
No illnesses have been reported yet for the expanded recall, but almond butter is a popular alternative for peanut butter, so make sure to check your kitchen!
12/14/2018 — Fans of peanut butter alternatives, be on the lookout—Inspired Organics just announced a voluntary recall of their Organic Sunflower Butter due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes (the organism that causes Listeria infection). According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the contamination was discovered by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, when a positive result for potential Listeria monocytogenes came back during product testing.
Image courtesy of Inspired Organics
Only one product is included in the recall (your other nut butters are safe!), Inspired Organics’ 16-oz. Organic Sunflower Butter, with a “best by” date of October 2019, and the UPC number 863669742526. You can also look for the Lipari item number 967064, and the lot number 99. The sunflower butter was distributed by Lipari Foods to retail stores in 13 states: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Since it doesn't contain any peanuts or actual nuts, sunflower butter is a common alternative to nut butters for those with nut allergies, and even classrooms. If you have any of the recalled sunflower butter in your kitchen, throw it out or return it to the store. Listeria infections can be fatal in young children, the elderly, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy people aren’t immune to infection either—some common symptoms are high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. No confirmed illnesses have been reported, but if you think you might’ve gotten sick from eating recalled food, make sure to contact your doctor or healthcare provider right away.