In a follow-up on the multistate outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 (STEC O157:H7) infections, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports an additional seven cases from four states, bringing the total to 23 from nine states.

Image/CDC screen shot
Image/CDC screen shot

Ten ill people have been hospitalized. Seven people developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure, and no deaths have been reported.

The vast majority (87%) of the cases are in children younger than 18 years.

Twenty (87%) of the 23 people reached for interview reported either eating I.M. Healthy brand SoyNut Butter at home (14 people) in the week before they became ill, attending a facility that served I.M. Healthy brand SoyNut Butter (2 people), or attending childcare centers that served I.M. Healthy brand SoyNut Butter and I.M. Healthy brand granola coated with SoyNut Butter (4 people). SoyNut Butter is a nut-free substitute for peanut butter.

On March 7, 2017, The SoyNut Butter Company recalled all varieties of I.M. Healthy SoyNut Butters and all varieties of I.M. Healthy Granola products. On March 10, 2017, The SoyNut Butter Company expanded its recall of SoyNut Butter products to include Dixie Diner’s Club brand Carb Not Beanit Butter.

CDC recommends that consumers do not eat, and childcare centers, schools, and other institutions do not serve, any variety or size of I.M. Healthy brand SoyNut Butter, I.M. Healthy brand granola, or Dixie Diner’s Club brand Carb Not Beanit Butter, regardless of the date of purchase or the date listed on the container.