New York Pistachio Processor Recalls Products Amid Salmonella Scare

Setton International Foods, Inc., the New York food company linked to a California pistachio grower at the center of the new salmonella outbreak scare, has voluntarily recalled several of its roasted nut products due to fears of contamination.

Nuts grown and processed by Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella, Inc., the second largest pistachio maker in the United States, were used in pistachio products made by Setton International. They include various types of chocolate-covered pistachios and mixed nuts distributed in bulk shipments to food makers throughout the United States and also in Canada and Panama.

Earlier this week, Setton Pistachio announced the recall of some lots of bulk roasted shelled and in-shell pistachios after testing showed the items may be carrying salmonella bacteria. Large retail companies and grocery stores including Wal-Mart and Kroger’s have announced separate recalls of products those companies made using Setton pistachios.

However, no injuries have been confirmed as being caused by pistachios contaminated with salmonella, officials said.

Salmonella is a common source of food poisoning that can cause life-threatening infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. In those people salmonella may reach the bloodstream and result in severe illnesses, arterial infections, endocarditis, and arthritis. In healthy people, salmonella most often produces fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

The current warnings about possible salmonella contamination in pistachios are in no way linked to the ongoing outbreak of contaminated peanut butter and peanut products. That outbreak, which began earlier this year, has been blamed for contributing to nine deaths, 700 illnesses, and the recall of more than 3,000 food products.

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