3/31/09

Pistachio Recall - Salmonella

I read a story on my phone tonight - yes that's how I get my news most days - about a Pistachio recall due to Salmonella... The first thing I thought of was my husband's parents in Arizona - I know they eat Pistachios, and then I thought of you guys... Read more info below.

From the FDA website
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- CINCINNATI, Ohio, March 27, 2009 – The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) said today it is recalling Private Selection® Shelled Pistachios sold in its family of retail stores because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella.

Stores under the following names in the 31 states where Kroger operates are included in this recall: Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Fry's, King Soopers, Smith's, Dillons, QFC, City Market, Foods Co., Jay C, Scott's, Owen's, Baker's, Gerbes, Hilander and Pay Less.

Food 4 Less stores the company operates did not receive any of the pistachios being recalled.

No illnesses have been reported in connection with the product.

Item Description:

Kroger is recalling the following item:

  • Private Selection Shelled Pistachios sold in 10-ounce containers with a "Sell by" date of DEC-13-09 and DEC-14-09 with this UPC Code: 11110 73615.

The pistachios were sold in The Kroger Co.'s family of stores in the following states: Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming. Customers who have recently purchased the pistachios should not consume this product and should return it to a store for a full refund or replacement.

More from the FDA:
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 will issue a voluntary recall involving approximately 1 million pounds of its products. 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.

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.

From ChicagoBreakingNews.com:
The Georgia Nut Company of Skokie is voluntarily recalling four products containing shelled pistachios due to a possible salmonella contamination.
Company officials said the recall applies to products that were sold from last December through Wednesday at stores in Illinois, Wisconsin and online.

No illnesses have been reported.

The nuts came from a third-party supplier, the company said.

In Illinois, the products being recalled were sold in bulk and retail at Dominick's grocery stores in the Chicago area and Georgia Nut Company locations in Skokie and Glenview.

In Wisconsin, the products were sold at Georgia Nut's Chocolate House in Greenfield and the Not Just Nuts store in Wauwatosa.

Also, Northfield-based Kraft Foods Inc. on Wednesday announced a voluntary recall of its Nantucket Blend trail mix with pistachios, saying the product could be contaminated with salmonella.

The trail mix, sold under Kraft's Back to Nature brand, was distributed nationwide. There have been no cases of salmonella reported in connection with the trail mix, said Kraft spokeswoman Susan Davison.

Kraft issued the recall as a precaution after its trail-mix supplier found a small potential of salmonella in a batch of pistachios, Davison said.

The recall covers the 28-ounce bag of Nantucket Blend with UPC code 59283-00020 and a best-by date between Aug. 20 and Dec. 12. It also covers 10-ounce bags with UPC code 59283-31039 and a best date between Nov. 4 and Dec. 12.

Consumers can contact Back to Nature Foods Co., a Kraft subsidiary, at 866-538-8280 with any questions.

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