One Million Pounds of Pistachios Recalled because Salmonella
Posted by
Jessica SmagaczMarch 31, 2009 9:33 AMUSA Today reported that a California company is recalling one million pounds of pistachios after test results found them contaminated with salmonella.
These pistachios were distributed nationwide. FDA is advising consumers to not eat pistachios and foods containing them until FDA can confirm which pistachios might be affected.
Currently, there have been no illnesses tied to the pistachios and this is also unrelated to the recall of peanut products tired to the widespread salmonella outbreak.
FDA’s associate commissioner for foods, David Acheson, says “This was not triggered because of an outbreak, in contrast to the peanut butter. This is an example of FDA getting out ahead of the curve.”
The number of recalled products is likely to grow as the investigation continues. The pistachios have been sold for use in baked goods, ice cream and other products.
“The contamination was discovered when Kraft Foods, which had purchased pistachios from Setton Farms, did routine testing as part of its internal food-safety process.” Kraft contacted FDA and informed them of its findings on March 24 and initiated a recall of the product, Back to Nature Nantucket Blend trail mix.
Setton Farms, the second largest U.S processor of pistachios, sold its pistachios to about 30 wholesalers in 1,000 and 2,000 pound containers.