FDAs Salmonella Fight Moves from Peanuts to
Pistachios With Latest Recall
California joins FDA and Setton Pistacio to protect
public from Salmonella in pistachio products
March
31, 2009 - The FDA and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
are investigating Salmonella contamination in pistachio products sold by
Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella Inc, Calif. The company has stopped all
distribution of processed pistachios and issued a voluntary recall.
The recall yesterday involves approximately 1
million pounds of its products. (See companys recall news release below
this story.)
Because the pistachios were used as ingredients in
a variety of foods, it is likely this recall will impact many products.
In addition, the investigation at the company is ongoing and may lead to
additional pistachio product recalls.
The contamination involves multiple strains of
Salmonella. Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections
in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened
immune systems.
Thus far, several illnesses have been reported by
consumers that may be associated with the pistachios. It is not yet
known whether any of the Salmonella strains found in the pistachio
products are linked to an outbreak. The FDA is conducting genetic
testing of the samples to pursue all links.
FDA is working closely with the pistachio industry
and recommends that consumers avoid eating pistachio products until
further information is available about the scope of affected products.
FDA will provide a searchable database of affected
products at
www.fda.gov and will continue to update the public.
|
 SeniorJournal.com
tries to alert senior citizens as soon as possible when the FDA
issues any alerts pertaining to Salmonella. It is very important
information for older people, who are more at risk of death or
serious illness from such contamination |
FDA first learned of the problem on March 24, when
it was informed by Kraft Foods that its Back To Nature Trail Mix was
found to be contaminated with Salmonella. Kraft had identified the
source of the contamination to be pistachios from Setton and conducted a
recall.
Setton Pistachio Announces Nationwide Recall of
Pistachios Because of Possible Health Risk
News Release from Setton Pistachio
Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella, Inc. announced
yesterday that it is voluntarily recalling from nationwide distribution
specific lots of bulk roasted shelled pistachios and 2,000 lbs., 1,700
lbs., 1,800 lbs. and 1,000 lbs. tote bags of roasted inshell pistachios
sold to wholesale customers due to potential contamination with the
Salmonella organism.
This voluntary recall affects certain bulk roasted
inshell and roasted shelled pistachios shipped on or after September 1,
2008. The bulk product was distributed throughout the United States. The
Company is voluntarily taking this precautionary measure after learning
that a small amount of roasted shelled pistachios processed by Setton
Pistachio and received by a commercial customer in late 2008 recently
tested positive for Salmonella. This voluntary recall is not in any way
related to the recent recalls associated with peanuts or peanut butter.
The Company is asking those firms who received bulk
product and have further processed, repackaged, or distributed the
affected products to recall those products and contact FDA.
In addition, the company is voluntarily recalling
the following retail product: Setton Farms brand roasted salted shelled
pistachios in 9 oz. film bags, UPC Code: 034325020252 with a "Best
Before" date between 01/06/10 and 01/19/10. This product was distributed
in the following states: SC, GA, FL, NC, VA, TN, KY. Consumers should
not consume this product and should return what they may have to the
place of purchase for a full refund.
Setton has established a toll free number -
(888) 228-3717 - for consumers to call for further information.
Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal
infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with
weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often
experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and
abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can
result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more
severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms),
endocarditis and arthritis.
This is the first ever pistachio recall for Setton
Pistachio, which has been selling pistachios for more than 13 years.
Setton Pistachio says it is committed to quality products and consumer
safety, and is taking aggressive action to prevent the need for any
future recalls of its products.
