Pistachio Nuts Recalled in Multiple States after Salmonella Outbreak
The pistachios, which are sold across the US and Canada are also branded as Trader Joe’s and Paramount Farms nuts, have affected 11 people from nine states so far: Washington, Arizona, North Dakota, Minnesota, Michigan, Alabama, Georgia, Virginia, and Connecticut. Only two people have been hospitalized.
Wonderful Pistachios takes food safety matters very seriously and is working closely with health officials to identify the source of the problem,” the company said in a statement. “In an effort to further enhance our food safety program and ensure the health and well-being of our consumers, we have, effective immediately, proactively increased our sampling frequencies and lot size testing.
According to the CDC, the investigation is ongoing, but initial reports said that eight of the nine salmonella patients said they had eaten pistachios in the week before they fell ill.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lab traced the pistachios to California-based Paramount Farms. That’s the same farm Trader Joe’s and Wonderful Pistachio brands are sourced from. Since these products have a long shelf life, the CDC advised consumers to check any products that have been in their homes. Consumers may return the product to the store from which it was purchased or send the portion of the package that contains the lot code to Wonderful Pistachios, 13646 Highway 33, Lost Hills, California 93249 for a refund.
“Wonderful Pistachios takes food safety matters very seriously and is working closely with health officials to identify the source of the problem,” the company said in a statement. This is the first-ever recall associated with Wonderful Pistachios, which has been growing, harvesting, and processing pistachios for 30 years.
According to the CDC, cases have occurred in nine different states. Arizona and Washington had two cases each.The CDC says this strain of salmonella causes symptoms 12 to 72 hours after eating the tainted food and recommends all pistachios from these brands be returned.