Setton Pistachios Salmonella Outbreak - Nationwide
Setton Pistachios of Terra Bella Inc has expanded its recall of roasted pistachios to include all lots of roasted in-shell pistachios and roasted shelled pistachios that were produced from nuts harvested in 2008. The firm is also recalling those raw shelled pistachios from the 2008 crop that are not subsequently roasted prior to retail sale.
Initially, the firm’s recall was limited to certain lots of roasted pistachios. Information from the joint FDA and California Department of Public Health inspection indicates the presence of Salmonella in critical areas of the facility and the potential for cross-contamination between raw and roasted products. After this information was shared with Setton, the firm decided to expand its recall.
The FDA has now determined that three environmental samples and one finished product sample obtained during the inspection of Setton Pistachio Inc. were positive for Salmonella Montevideo. Some of the DNA fingerprints of the Salmonella strains from the pistachio products match the DNA fingerprints of Salmonella strains from recently ill persons already in the PulseNet database. Because the strain of Salmonella Montevideo is fairly common, it is possible that these illnesses could have another source. Health authorities are investigating to see if any of the 50 people who have contracted Salmonella Montevideo since September had any contact with Setton pistachios.
Because the pistachios were used as ingredients in a variety of foods, this expanded recall will affect many products and is expected to result in other recalls. The FDA has created a searchable database of recalled products and will continue to update the public as its investigation progresses. Consumers should not eat pistachios or food products containing them (such as pistachio bakery goods and pistachio ice cream) until they can determine that the products do not contain pistachios recalled by Setton.
Salmonella is a bacterium that causes one of the most common intestinal illnesses in the US: salmonellosis infection. It can be present in uncooked or undercooked meat, poultry, eggs, or unpasteurized dairy products, as well as other foods contaminated during harvest, production, or packaging.
Symptoms can begin 6 to 72 hours from consumption, and include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever, nausea, and/or vomiting. Dehydration is a concern, especially with the elderly, very young, or immune compromised.
Consumers should ask their healthcare providers to culture a stool sample. The culture will indicate if salmonella is present and can assist in determining if the illness is part of a larger outbreak. Tips on avoiding salmonella infection can be found on the website www.about-salmonella.com, along with more detailed information on symptoms and treatment.
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