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FDA Investigating Salmonella-Tainted Pistachios

Recall expands, calls for stronger testing grow

By Mark Huffman and Lisa Wade McCormick
ConsumerAffairs.com

April 2, 2009

• FDA Warns Consumers Against California Pistachio Brands • California Produce Company Recalls Pistachios on Salmonella Fears • Floodgates Open in Pistachio Product Recall • More Pistachio Products Recalled • Feds Search Peanut Product Distributor in Salmonella Investigation • Pistachio Recall Continues To Expand • More Pistachio Nut Products Recalled • FDA Investigating Salmonella-Tainted Pistachios • Frito-Lay, Kraft Recall More Foods Containing Pistachios • Kraft Recalls Trail Mix Containing Pistachio Nuts • Georgia Company Says Products May Be Tainted with Salmonella --- • Salmonella: What It Is • More about Food Safety ...

Food manufacturers, already bucking a recession, have seen millions of dollars worth of their products recalled and destroyed this year because of potential salmonella poisoning from tainted peanuts. Now that nearly three months of peanut related recalls have subsided, pistachios are also being recalled because of possible contamination.

The latest recall scare has legislators calling for stronger oversight and monitoring of food testing.

The Food and Drug Administration is now investigating Setton International Foods in New York as a possible source for contamination.

That company, Setton International Foods Inc., of Commack, New York, failed its state health inspection last month, according to the Associated Press. New York agriculture officials found live and dead cockroaches and rodent dropping inside that plant, which shares key staff and packages food with Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella Inc.

Setton International is a sister company of the California-based Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella Inc., which recalled more than 1 million pounds of its roasted shelled and in-shell pistachios because of possible salmonella contamination.

"No national standards"

The possible contamination of these pistachios only came to light because of volunteer testing by Kraft Foods.

The company's Back to Nature Trail Mix tested positive for salmonella and Kraft identified the source of the contamination as pistachios from Setton. Kraft notified the FDA about the salmonella contamination on March 24 and recalled the Back to Nature Trail mix the following day.

Food makers are not required by the FDA to test the safety of their products. State law doesn't require that testing, either. Some lawmakers wonder what would have happened if Kraft had not voluntarily tested the pistachios.

"We're relying on companies to find the contaminated foods on their own, and since there's no national standards for this, some companies don't bother to test at all," Rep. Diana DeGette of Colorado told the Associated Press. "What if these nuts had been distributed by a company that doesn't test? We wouldn't have found out until people got sick."

DeGette and other lawmakers want the FDA to monitor testing in all segments of the processed food industry, according to the Associated Press. They also want food manufacturers to be required to release test results.

As this latest salmonella-food scare widens, the FDA continues to warn consumers not to each pistachios or products that contain those nuts until health officials know the scope of the contamination.

"At this point, since the FDA hasn't determined where the contamination occurred, it is best to avoid any foods that contain pistachios," said Dr. Steven M. Marcus, Executive Director of the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System.

The warning has sent a shock wave through the food industry. Setton Pistachio is a bulk provider of nuts to some of the nation's largest food manufacturers and wholesalers, distributing the nuts to more than 35 sellers across the country. The company's Web site also states it exports its "premium California pistachios" to more than 30 foreign markets.

Scores of food manufacturers used the pistachios in everything from cake mixes to ice cream, meaning the recall could trigger a ripple effect of more recalls across multiple product lines.

Latest recalls

Here are the latest products recalled because they contain potentially-tainted pistachios:

• John B. Sanfilippo and Son, Inc. recalled three of its Flavor Tree brand of Roasted Salted Inshell Pistachios. The company distributed the products in Whole Foods Market stores nationwide, including California, Minnesota, Missouri, Texas, and South Carolina. The nuts were sold in 16 ounces packages. The company has not received any complaints of illnesses linked to these pistachios. Consumers can return the packages to the store for a full refund. For more information, contact the company at (800) 874-8734;

• The Kroger company has expanded its recall of Private Selection Shelled Pistachio. The recall now includes its Private Selection Shelled Pistachios sold in 10-ounce containers with a "Sell by" date of JAN-14-10, FEB-10-10, FEB-11-10 and MAR-23-10 and this UPC Code: 11110 73615. It also includes its Private Selection Shelled Pistachios sold in 10-ounce containers with a "Sell by" date of DEC-13-09 and DEC-14-09 and this UPC Code: 11110 73615. The pistachios were sold nationwide in 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 grocery stores. The Food 4 Less stores the company operates did not receive any of the recalled pistachios. Customers can return the pistachios for a full refund. For more information, contact Kroger at (800) 697-2448 or check the company's www.kroger.com/recalls Web site.

• Kar's Nuts company has recalled some of its Kar's Nuts and Second Nature products that contain pistachios. "We at Kar's Nuts take very seriously anything that potentially could compromise the safety of our customers and consumers," said Nick Nicolay, the company's president and CEO. "We were highly disappointed to learn that the supplier we use for our pistachio nuts had a potential salmonella issue, and have moved swiftly to ensure our customers and consumers are informed of the important recall. We apologize for any inconvenience and will continue to communicate any additional news." The company has not received any reports of illnesses linked to these products. Consumers can return the items for a full refund. For more information, contact the company at 1-800-527-6887.

• Whole Foods Market has recalled its 365 Everyday Value brand in-shell Dry Roasted and Salted Pistachios. The recalled items come in 16 ounce packages with a Best Before dates of 07/08/2009 GL1, 07/08/2009 GL2, and 11/27/2009 GL1 and a Universal Product Code (UPC) of 99482-40435. The product was distributed to Whole Foods Market stores in the United States. Consumers can return the pistachios to any Whole Foods Market store for a full refund. For more information, contact the company at 512-542-0656.

• Fritz Company Inc. has recalled its Fritzie Fresh Natural Pistachios sold at retailers in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana. The recalled products come is 4.0 oz bags and have a UPC of 076056 09460. Only the packages with date codes of 08361 are included in this action. The company has not received any reports of illnesses linked to these products. Consumers can return the pistachios for a full refund. For more information, call the company at 800-328-1652.

• Publix Super Markets is recalling its 6 oz packages of Publix Pistachios with a UPC of 41415-04033. "As part of our commitment to food safety, potentially impacted product has been removed from all store shelves," said Maria Brous, Publix media and community relations manager. The company has not received any reports of illnesses linked to these pistachios. Consumers can return the nuts for a full refund. For more information, contact the company at 1-800-242-1227.

The FDA now has a databaseconsumers can search to see if any of their favorite foods that contain pistachios are being recalled. The agency has a similar database for peanut butter products recalled in the wake of the massive salmonella outbreak.

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