FDA Shuts Down Soy Nut Butter Manufacturer

The manufacturer of soy nut butter products sold by an Illinois company has been shut down by the FDA.

On Thursday, the FDA suspended the food facility registration for Dixie Dew Products, the Kentucky-based manufacturer of I.M Healthy SoyNut Butter products linked to an E. coli outbreak that has sickened 29 people in a dozen states this year.

Several victims — including an 8-year-old California boy — have suffered kidney failure due to the outbreak.

All of I.M. Healthy's products, including all varieties of soy nut butter and granola, were recalled after the outbreak. I.M. Healthy is based out of Glenview.

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The FDA said its decision to suspend production at Dixie Dew was prompted by the outbreak and a March inspection of the facility "which identified insanitary conditions that could lead to contamination with E. coli O157:H7 in finished products." The FDA added, "No food can leave the Dixie Dew facility for sale or distribution while the food facility registration is suspended."

Since March 21, the CDC said six more people in four states, including Illinois, have reported illness linked to the E. coli outbreak. Two people have been hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure.

Of the 29 people sickened by the outbreak, 24 are under age 18, the CDC said.

Cases have been reported in 12 states: Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, Oregon, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.

"We are urging parents and caregivers to check for recalled SoyNut Butter products and throw them away. This product has a long shelf life and may still be in homes and classrooms," the CDC said in a statement.

Recalled items include "any variety or size of I.M. Healthy brand SoyNut Butter, I.M. Healthy brand granola, Dixie Diner's Club brand Carb Not Beanit Butter, or 20/20 Lifestyle Yogurt Peanut Crunch Bars, regardless of the date of purchase or the date listed on the container."

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