Voluntary recall expanded due to possible Salmonella contamination

Sunland, Inc., has expanded its voluntary recall to include all of the products manufactured at its peanut butter and nut manufacturing plant in Portales, New Mexico.

The plant was shut down on Saturday, after Trader Joe's recalled its Creamy Salted Valencia Peanut Butter because it was linked to potential contamination with Salmonella, according to Katalin Coburn, Sunland's vice president for media relations.

Two days ago, the company expanded its voluntary recall to include all the peanut and almond butter products it makes. Now the remaining Cashew Butter, Tahini and Roasted Blanched Peanut Products, which are also manufactured at this plant, are being recalled too.

According to the latest information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 30 people in 19 states have been sickened by a strain of Salmonella called Bredeney. Four people have been hospitalized so far, but no one has died.

The reported illnesses occurred between June 11 and September 11. Nearly two-thirds of those sickened are under the age of 10. Young children, the elderly and those who are already sick or chronically ill are more susceptible to severe illness if they become infected with Salmonella.

This company says the recall applies to the all products manufactured at this plant with a "best if used by" date between May 1, 2012 and September 24, 2012. Consumers can find this date stamped on the side of the jar's label below the lid of the jar.

Coburn tells CNN that there has been "no link to any specific product," but rather 14 of those sickened had been interviewed by health officials and 12 of those people recalled eating Trader Joe's peanut butter. She says that's "the reason for this entirely preemptive and voluntary recall."

The CDC has reported that 12 of those sickened indicated that they ate Trader Joe's Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter made with sea salt and that this is a likely source of the outbreak.

Since this is an ongoing investigation, the FDA will not comment on specific details, according to a spokeswoman.

Consumers are urged to dispose of any remaining jars of Sunland, Inc., products in the home or return them to the place of purchase. A full list of all voluntarily recalled products can be found here. Consumers can also contact Sunland by calling 1-866-837-1018 for more information on the recall.