Pistachio Recall: On Account Of Salmonella

By Jessica Madison on March 31st, 2009

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Salmonella strikes again – this time with pistachios. According to reports, Food & Drug Administration (FDA) officials found multiple strains of salmonella in a recent pistachio crop from California company Setton Pistachio of Terra Billa Inc. The company is the second largest pistachio producer in the United States and the recall calls for the removal of over one million pounds of the nut to be removed from grocery store shelves. In the mean time, authorities are advising for consumers to avoid all pistachio and pistachio-containing products until further notice.

Salmonella, if you’re not aware, is a bacteria infection that can cause serious and sometimes fatal damage to those with weak immune systems (the elderly, children, the sick, etc.). Even for those who are healthy, the bacteria can cause unwelcome sickness (i.e. vomiting, diarrhea, fever). Salmonella is typically found in unclean or rotting food. Symptoms will typically appear within four to seven days.

To avoid salmonella, it’s advised to keep your hands and cooking surfaces clean whenever you’re dealing with food. You should also be sure to keep your food separated. That means keeping your raw meat away from your other foods. A third habit is to make sure you’re cooking your food to safe temperatures. Undercooked meat or egg can carry the bacteria. And finally, be sure to keep your food properly refrigerated. Don’t leave your food out for extended periods of time and be sure to keep food that needs to be frozen in the freezer and that needs to be refrigerated in the refrigerator. If you’re not sure, check out this useful site, StillTasty.

There have been a few salmonella scares in past years, with the most recent occurrence being the peanut butter outbreak earlier this year. So it’s always good to be on top of what causes it and how it can harm you.