Peanut Butter Safety

Hi Friends! In recent events, you may be wondering, “What should I be looking for when purchasing peanut butter?”  

We always recommend shopping for organic peanut butter with as few ingredients as possible. And whenever you can, make sure the brand your shopping is reputable. Look for customer reviews and don’t be afraid to reach out directly with specific questions you may have. Smaller brands are typically quicker to respond and more transparent in their quality-control protocol.  

Is it Safe to Eat Peanut Butter? 

Like most foods, consuming peanut butter is safe when certain steps are taken to eliminate toxic pathogens. For example, aflatoxins and salmonella are two types of pathogens that can be present if the peanuts are mishandled in the beginning stages. Roasting peanuts not only gives peanut butter a nice flavor profile, but it also serves as a “kill step” that cooks off any significant levels of pathogens.  

At Spread The Love, we have send samples of everything that comes off the production line to a laboratory where they are inspected for toxins.  

What is Aflatoxin? 

Aflatoxin is a toxic agent that creates mold in peanuts. To prevent Aflatoxin exposure, the peanuts need to be thoroughly inspected prior to milling into butter. Therefore, it is best to purchase your nut or seed butters that are produced and regulated here in the U.S. 

What is Salmonella?  

Salmonella is a bacterium that can contaminate peanuts during the production of peanut butter. Salmonella can be found in a variety of foods, like raw meats, poultry, and eggs. Proper handling and processing will minimize the risk of exposure. 

 Is Peanut Butter Safe for Dogs? 

Certain peanut butter is also dangerous to your pets because some brands use xylitol which is a natural sugar alcohol found in plants. Xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs, so the best peanut butter for dogs is any with only a few ingredients (the less the better!) and we recommend giving your pet everything in moderation. 

Safety First 

Here at Spread The Love, our main priority is the quality of our products and the safety and health of our customers. All our products are produced locally here in California, and we take pride in the high-quality production of our peanut butter using only a single ingredient: USDA organic peanuts. 

Keep Spreading The Love