FDA Says Pistachio Salmonella Outbreak Could Affect 1 Million Pounds of Pistachios

Only two months after the FDA investigated a salmonella outbreak caused by peanut products that made almost 700 people ill and may have killed nine people, they have announced that they are launching another investigation into a salmonella outbreak that could affect 1 million pounds of pistachios sold in at least 31 states.

While the two situations are not connected, it still has people nervous yet again. The recalled pistachios were shipped on or after September 1, 2008 by California processor Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella Inc. The FDA has announced that because the pistachios were used as ingredients in many foods, many products may be recalled.

According to Reuters, Setton recalled lots of bulk roasted shelled pistachios and roasted unshelled pistachios in 2,000-pound, 1,800-pound, 1,700-pound and 1,000-pound bags sold to wholesale customers immediately after learning that they tested positive for salmonella. The company is also recalling its Setton Farms brand roasted salted shelled pistachios in 9-ounce bags with an expiration date between January 6, 2010 and January 19, 2010.

The Georgia Nut Company recalled its Kraft Back to Nature Nantucket Blend trail mix last Friday after samples tested positive for salmonella. Jeff Farrar, chief of the Food and Drug Branch of the California Dept. of Public Health, told MedPageToday.com, that Kraft scientists identified four salmonella serotypes in the tested pistachios

While shoppers should avoid pistachios for now, they should be aware of products from grocery chain Kroger Co. The company has recalled its Private Selection shelled pistachios in Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer and other stores owned by Kroger.

Officials have stated that the outbreak is unusual. Normally, the roasting of the pistachios kills any lingering salmonella bacteria, so the nuts may have been infected when they came in contact with unroasted nuts or some other source of salmonella after roasting.

While the FDA is encouraging individuals to not eat pistachios, they're not saying they should throw them out either, but rather wait until their investigation has turned over more evidence.

The interesting thing looking at this case and the peanut butter outbreak side by side is their individual markets. While the peanut butter outbreak affected many larger food companies like Keebler, Breyers and Brachs, the main markets selling them were lower priced stores. Wal-Mart, Wal-Greens, SunMart, Shop 'n Save. All stores catering to people on a budget.

In regards to the pistachio outbreak, while Kroger's isn't as much of a saver store as Wal-Mart, its sister stores Pay-Less and Food 4 Less are. While the pistachio outbreak has been handled infinitely better by its company than the peanut butter outbreak, the situation still begs for something to change.

We shouldn't have to be afraid of salmonella every time we go to the grocery store. Sometimes these things are unavoidable. However, the effects of the peanut butter outbreak could have and should have been prevented. I'm thankful that the management at Setton Pistachio have cared enough to attempt to stop the problem before things were too far gone.

Update 2-Pistachios Recalled Due to Salmonella Risk, Reuters

Salmonella Worries Prompt Pistachio Recall, CBS News

Michael J. Himowitz, FDA: Don't Eat Pistachios Till Salmonella Source Found, MedPageToday.com

About the Kroger Co., TheKrogerCo.com