Do not eat any brand of pistachios or foods products containing pistachios, FDA warns

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising consumers not to eat any brand of shelled or unshelled pistachios or any food products containing pistachios until FDA investigators determine which pistachios and pistachio products should be recalled because of possible Salmonella contamination.

This warning includes such products as baked goods, trail mixes and snack foods that contain pistachios.

“Consumers should store pistachios and pistachio products in their homes, away from children, until it can be determined whether the products are affected by the recall. Products that are not recalled do not need to be thrown away,” the FDA said in an advisory.

The FDA has posted a searchable list of recalled pistachio products online.

The FDA issued the warning after the California company Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella, Inc. announced it was recalling 1 million pounds of its pistachio products because of concerns that they may be contaminated with the bacteria.

Shortly after Setton announced its recall, Kraft Foods announced it was recalling all its Planters and Back to Nature brand pistachio products containing nuts obtained from Setton after September 1, 2008.

A list of the recalled products can be found in a press release from Kraft Foods at the end of this story.

“Consumers should not eat these products and discard any products they may have,” the company said.

Whole Foods Market has also announced a recall of its store brand 365 Everyday Value brand in-shell Dry Roasted and Salted Pistachios due to potential salmonella contamination. 

The affected product is 16 oz. packages of 365 Everyday Value brand Dry Roasted and Salted Pistachios with BestBefore dates of 07/08/2009 GL1, 07/08/2009 GL2, and 11/27/2009 GL1 and a Universal Product Code (UPC) of 99482-40435.

And earlier this week, Kroger Company recalled  its store brand Private Selection Shelled Pistachios sold at QFC, Fred Meyer, City Market, Pay Less and other Kroger-operated stores because they may potentially be contaminated with Salmonella.

The nuts are sold in 10-ounce containers with a “Sell by” date of DEC-13-09 and DEC-14-09 with the UPC Code: 11110 73615.

Salmonella is a bacterium thats causes a gastrointestinal infection. People infected with the bacteria typically develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12-72 hours after infection.

Most people recover within 4 to 7 days without treatment, but infants, the elderly, and those with impaired immune systems are at risk of developing more severe infections in which the bacteria enters the bloodstream and infects other parts of the body.

Such infections can be fatal and should be treated with antibiotics, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

PHOTO CREDIT: Salmonella – Rocky Mountain Labs/NIAID/NIH
 

FDA’s current advice for consumers regarding pistachios and pistachio products:

FDA is advising consumers not to eat any brand of shelled or unshelled pistachios, or any food products containing pistachios, such as baked goods, trail mix, and other snack foods, until FDA determines which pistachios and pistachio products are affected by the recall being conducted by Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella, Inc. (“Setton”), also called Setton Farms. The FDA consumer alert is available at this link: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2009/NEW01982.html

WHAT SHOULD CONSUMERS DO WITH PISTACHIOS AND PISTACHIO PRODUCTS THEY HAVE ON HAND?

Consumers should store pistachios and pistachio products in their homes, away from children, until it can be determined whether the products are affected by the recall. Products that are not recalled do not need to be thrown away.

WHY IS FDA ADVISING CONSUMERS NOT TO EAT ANY PISTACHIOS OR PISTACHIO PRODUCTS

FDA is advising consumers not to eat any brands of pistachios or pistachio products because at this stage of the investigation FDA does not know which foods contain the recalled pistachios. Pistachios from Setton likely have been used as ingredients in a variety of foods, including both shelled and in-shell pistachios packaged under different brand names. Until the distribution chain of the recalled pistachios is identified, consumers should avoid all brands of pistachios and food made with pistachios.

ARE ANY CONSUMER SICKNESSES CONNECTED WITH SETTON PISTACHIOS?

At this time, neither the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention nor state health departments have reported any consumer illnesses directly connected with Setton pistachios. FDA, in cooperation with the states and CDC, is increasing public health surveillance for any illnesses that may be directly associated with pistachios from Setton. FDA has received several consumer complaints of illness after eating pistachio products, and the agency is investigating these reports to determine if any of them are associated with pistachios from Setton.

WHY IS FDA TAKING THIS ACTION?

Salmonella bacteria have been detected in pistachios processed by Setton. The company has stopped distribution of roasted pistachios and has recalled approximately one million pounds of its products. However, the recalled pistachios were widely distributed, and FDA expects that there is remaining product on the market and in the supply chain. The investigation at the company is ongoing and may lead to additional recalls.

WHAT IS FDA DOING TO INVESTIGATE?

FDA and the California Department of Public Health are working together conducting an investigation to determine how the contamination occurred and to identify recipients of the pistachios under recall, including companies that may have used pistachios from Setton as ingredients in their own products. The joint team has taken environmental and product samples from the firm’s facility to analyze for the possible presence of Salmonella, and is reviewing records provided by the firm to pinpoint distribution of the recalled product.

HOW CAN CONSUMERS GET INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT PRODUCTS ARE UNDER RECALL?

Consumers can obtain the latest information about FDA advice on pistachios and about what products are under recall from the FDA website. The agency has established a special webpage to provide the latest information, including a searchable database of products under recall. The special webpage is available by clickable icon on the opening page of the FDA website, and at this direct link: http://www.fda.gov/pistachios/. In addition, consumers can contact the manufacturers of products directly and ask if their products contain Setton pistachios.

CAN CONSUMERS WITH PISTACHIOS ON HAND USE THEM IN OTHER FOOD PRODUCTS LIKE COOKIES AND CAKES?

FDA recommends that consumers not use pistachios on hand in making home-baked goods or in other food items prepared in their homes, until more information becomes available about what pistachios are affected by the recall.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF SALMONELLA INFECTION?

Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected withSalmonella 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. Individuals who are experiencing these symptoms should contact a doctor immediately or go to an emergency room for evaluation.

 
To learn more:

• Read the press release from the FDA below.
• Visit the FDA’s Web site.
• Read LocalHealthGuides story below on Kroger’s recall of its shelled pistachio product.
• Visit the Kroger Web site.
• Visit the Kraft Foods Web site.
• For information about Salmonella in Chinese, English, Korean, Somali, Spanish and Vietnamese

Kraft Foods Conducts Nationwide Recall of Planters and Back to Nature Products Containing Pistachio Nuts Because of Possible Health Risk

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –Northfield, IL — March 31, 2009 — Kraft Foods announced today a voluntary recall in the United States of Planters and Back to Nature products containing pistachio nuts that have the potential to be contaminated with the Salmonella organism. This possible contamination is not connected with the recent outbreak associated with peanuts.

The company is recalling all products containing pistachios supplied by Setton Farms after September 1, 2008. Setton Farms issued a recall late yesterday.

A list of affected products and code dates is attached and available on kraftfoodscompany.com. Consumers should not eat these products and discard any products they may have. Consumers can contact the company at 1-866-538-8280 with any questions.

There have been no cases of Salmonellosis reported to date in connection with these products and the company is issuing this recall as a precaution. These products were distributed to retail stores nationwide.

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 withSalmonella 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.

Tags: Back to Nature, FDA, Kraft Food, Kroger Co., Pistachios, Planters, Private Selection Shelled Pistachios, Product Recall, Salmonella, Whole Foods Market

Category: Digestive System, Food-borne Infections, Infections, Product Recall