Aflatoxins 

Aflatoxins, natural poisons from the mold aspergillus flavus and aspergillus parasiticus, is often found growing on peanuts, tree nuts, and corn. Not all peanuts are exposed to aflatoxins, but if someone eats contaminated products, they too are exposed to the poison. These poisons can lead to hepatitis, liver cancer, and liver cirrhosis. 

Peanut Butter Recalls

While not common, peanut and peanut butter recalls have occurred in the United States. In 2009, a major recall occurred due to an outbreak of Salmonella from a Georgia peanut butter plant. This outbreak caused 714 individuals to fall ill and 9 deaths. It also lead to recalls of 3,913 products produced by 361 companies. 

Plain Peanut Spread distributed from Rhode Island was contaminated with Listeria and lead to a recall of 4,143 jars in Virginia, Arizona, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine, Alabama, Indiana, and Florida in 2020. It did not lead to illness or death.