SoyNut Butter Recall: King County Child Sickened With E. Coli

SEATTLE, WA - A child from King County has been sickened by E. coli after consuming I.M. Healthy SoyNut Butter, county health officials are reporting.

The SoyNut Butter was recalled nationwide on March 7 due to concerns that the product may be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli.

The child from King County is currently being treated at a local hospital, health officials said. The child is one of 16 people around the U.S. who have been sickened by E. coli in connection to the recall. Fourteen of the cases are in people under age 18. Four people have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure caused by E. coli.

Up until the Washington case was revealed, the outbreak had only affected residents of Oregon, California, Arizona, New Jersey, and Maryland.

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.

"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. "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 USDA