Soy butter investigated after child hospitalized in King Co.

The Washington State Department of Health is investigating whether a hospitalized child in King County was sickened by recalled soy butter.

I.M. Healthy brand SoyNut Butter's creamy soy butter was voluntarily recalled over E. coli concerns. Recalled products have a freshness date of August 30 or 31, 2018.

Doctors said the child in King County told them that he or she may have eaten some of the soy butter. The health department is testing it, and leaders do not have confirmed cases in Washington state as of Friday afternoon.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 12 people became ill with confirmed cases in Oregon, California, Arizona, New Jersey and Maryland.

Four of the hospitalized patients have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, which is a type of kidney failure. CNN reports the syndrome can be life-threatening, although most people recover within a few weeks.

Epidemiologic evidence available at this time indicates that, nationwide, I.M. Healthy brand SoyNut Butter is a likely source of this E. coli outbreak, according to the CDC.

SoyNut Butter is a nut-free substitute for peanut butter. Nationally, people who were sickened reported eating the butter at home or attending a child care center that served the butter.

The CDC recommends consumers do not eat any I.M. Healthy brand SoyNut Butter varieties or I.M. Healthy brand granola that is coated with SoyNut Butter.

Illnesses started on dates ranging from Jan. 6 to Feb.15, 2017. This investigation is ongoing and quickly changing. You can read the CDC's full investigation here.

Cox Media Group