04/01/09

Salmonella Contamination in Pistachio Products

FritoLay Recalls FritoLay Branded Salted Pistachios

FritoLay announced the voluntary recall of Frito-Lay branded in-shell salted pistachios due to potential contamination with salmonella. Frito-Lay has received no reports of illness related to this product; the company is issuing this recall as a precaution. The affected product is 1.75 oz. packages of Frito Lay branded Salted Pistachios (in shell) with sellby dates between 14Jul09 through 29Dec09 and the UPC code: 0 28400 03888 1. The date is located on the front of each package. No other code date, package size or flavor is impacted. This is the only Frito-Lay product impacted by this recall. This voluntary recall is not related to the recent peanut/ peanut butter recalls. This product has been distributed to retail stores in the United States and Canada. The pistachios used in this product were supplied by Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella, Inc., which yesterday announced a recall of selected lots of pistachios. Setton Pistachio is recalling pistachios from the 2008 crop year. Consumers with any product of the date and package size noted above can contact Frito-Lay Consumer Affairs at 1-800-352-4477.

Kraft Foods Recalls United States of Planters and Back to Nature Products

Kraft Foods announced today a voluntary recall in the United States of Planters and Back to Nature products containing pistachio nuts that have the potential to be contaminated with the Salmonella organism. This possible contamination is not connected with the recent outbreak associated with peanuts. The company is recalling all products containing pistachios supplied by Setton Farms after September 1, 2008. Setton Farms issued a recall late yesterday. A list of affected products and code dates is attached and available on kraftfoodscompany.com. Consumers should not eat these products and discard any products they may have. Consumers can contact the company at 1-866-538-8280 with any questions. There have been no cases of Salmonellosis reported to date in connection with these products and the company is issuing this recall as a precaution.

Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella Inc Recalls Pistachio Products

The FDA and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) are investigating Salmonella contamination in pistachio products sold by Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella Inc, Calif. The company has stopped all distribution of processed pistachios and will issue a voluntary recall involving approximately 1 million pounds of its products. Because the pistachios were used as ingredients in a variety of foods, it is likely this recall will impact many products. In addition, the investigation at the company is ongoing and may lead to additional pistachio product recalls.

The contamination involves multiple strains of Salmonella. Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Thus far, several illnesses have been reported by consumers that may be associated with the pistachios. It is not yet known whether any of the Salmonella strains found in the pistachio products are linked to an outbreak.

The FDA is conducting genetic testing of the samples to pursue all links. FDA is working closely with the pistachio industry and recommends that consumers avoid eating pistachio products until further information is available about the scope of affected products.

FDA will provide a searchable database of affected products at www.fda.gov and will continue to update the public.

FDA first learned of the problem on March 24, when it was informed by Kraft Foods that its Back To Nature Trail Mix was found to be contaminated with Salmonella. Kraft had identified the source of the contamination to be pistachios from Setton and conducted a recall.