Jif customer files class-action lawsuit in Kentucky after peanut butter recall
A class action lawsuit has been filed in federal court in Kentucky against the J.M. Smucker Company, which makes the recalled Jif peanut butter products, according to court documents filed on Wednesday.
South Carolina man John Kraljevich is the individual pursuing the lawsuit “on behalf of all persons who have purchased Jif peanut butter products” between February and May 2022.
The lawsuit came the same day that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced an expanded recall on Jif peanut butter products that came from the Lexington facility.
J.M. Smucker Co. initially voluntarily recalled 40 products containing Jif peanut butter on May 20 in response to reports of salmonella cases that are potentially connected.
Kraljevich accused the Smucker Company of negligence, breaching warranties, fraudulent concealment and unjust enrichment, among other things, according to court documents.
The Smucker Company hadn’t filed a legal reply as of Thursday, according to court records.
Kraljevichis seeking redress for the company’s business practices, which he alleges were designed to mislead the public in connection with promotion, marketing, advertising, packaging, labeling, distribution and the sale of Jif peanut butter products which had the potential to cause illness from February to May.
Court documents state Kraljevich had a contract with Jif, and was regularly purchasing their product.
According to court documents, the FDA’s investigation details that as of May 21, a total of 14 people were infected with the outbreak which has been reported across 12 states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from Feb. 17 through May 1, according to the lawsuit. Sick people range in age from less than 1 to 85 years.
So far, two people have been hospitalized, according to the investigation.
Kraljevich stated in the lawsuit that products that are recalled are identified by a lot code listed on the label, and he purchased a product which was identified by lot code 2085 425.
“Had the plaintiff known that the Jif peanut butter product they bought were contaminated with salmonella, (the plaintiff) would have not purchased Jif peanut butter products,” and has therefore claimed to suffer economic losses, the court records state.
Kraljevich is asking the court award them damages. They’re also asking the court to award prejudgment and post-judgement interest, grant appropriate injunctive and/or declaratory relief, award reasonable attorney’s fees and costs and grant such further relief that the court deems appropriate.
This story was originally published May 26, 2022 at 11:43 AM.
