A Walmart-exclusive nut butter has been slapped with the FDA’s most serious recall classification over salmonella fears.
The Bettergoods Pistachio Nut Butter, sold only at Walmart, received Class I status on August 26 after an initial voluntary recall on August 3, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The upgrade means consumers who eat the product could face serious illness or death. The FDA maintains three recall classifications, and Class I represents its highest risk level.
The product was originally pulled from shelves after Botticelli Foods, the company that makes the item, issued a recall due to potential salmonella contamination. Walmart first learned of the problem on July 17, when the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services conducted a routine inspection at a store and detected salmonella in three jars.
The recall covers 16,200 jars distributed to Walmart stores across 19 states. The affected product comes in 6.7-ounce glass jars bearing UPC code 194346207961, with lot code LB028ACP04 and an expiration date of January 28, 2027.
The pistachio butter was manufactured by Gustibus Alimentari Srl of Assoro, Italy, then imported by Botticelli and distributed exclusively through Walmart, according to the recall notice.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists salmonella symptoms as including fever, diarrhea which may be bloody, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. The FDA notes that in rare circumstances, salmonella may enter the bloodstream and cause more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis.
The FDA is urging shoppers who have the product with the specified codes to return it immediately for a full refund. Consumers experiencing symptoms are advised to contact a health care professional.
In the viral moment that preceded this escalation, routine testing by Florida agriculture officials first flagged the contamination, triggering a voluntary recall that the FDA later upgraded to its most dangerous classification after further review. No illnesses have been publicly reported in connection with the product at this time.
The Post reached out to Walmart for comment.