Second WA Child Sickened By E. Coli Connected To Soy Nut Butter Recall

SEATTLE, WA - A second child from King County has been sicked by E. coli in connection to the nationwide recall of I.M. Healthy SoyNut Butter products.

The state Department of Health reported the second illness on Thursday afternoon. King County health officials reported the first illness related to I.M. Healthy products on March 7; the victim in that case is also a child. County health officials also confirmed that this second child with E. coli is a resident of King County.

King County officials said the child in this most recent case is out of the hospital and recovering.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 16 other people across the U.S. have been sickened by E. coli related to the recall, including people in Oregon, California, Maryland, and Virginia. Eight have been hospitalized, and five have developed a type of kidney failure linked to E. coli infections.

The Seattle-based law firm Marler Clark, which specializes in food-borne illness litigation, has filed two lawsuits in connection to the recall.

The Glenview, Ill.-based I.M Healthy has recalled all varieties of its SoyNut Butter, including varieties packaged in 15 ounce jars, individual cups, 4 pound tubs, and 45 pound pails. The recall also affects granola products. The recall has also been expanded to include Dixie Diner’s Club brand Carb Not Beanit Butter.

"While we are taking the necessary investigative steps in getting the product in question and the supply chain tested, we decided to issue the recall for the sake of food safety," the company said in a statement on its website recently. "We take our product integrity seriously and will update all our customers as we receive more information."

The company urged anyone with questions or concerns to call its offices at 800-288-1012.

Image via U.S. Department of Agriculture