When are these troubling outbreaks going to end? Pistachios are now at the heart of a salmonella-related recall. Currently, Setton Farms, the nation’s second largest pistachio supplier, is under investigation by the California Department of Public Health as the possible source of the salmonella outbreak.
Fearing a repeat of the epic salmonella peanut recall, the Georgia Nut Co. (no relation to Peanut Corporation of America), Kroger and others have begun to pull the salmonella-tainted pistachios off store shelves. The salmonella-tainted pistachios may have been sold in Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming.
Salmonellosis is a food borne illness that is usually contracted by eating food contaminated with feces. The Salmonella bacteria can occur in nuts, raw poultry, eggs, beef, and sometimes unwashed fruit and vegetables – and the food usually looks and smells normal. The onset of symptoms of salmonella poisoning is usually 12 to 72 hours after infection. Persons with diarrhea caused by salmonella typically recover completely, although it may be several months before bowel habits return to normal. A small number of people develop Reiter’s Syndrome which is noted by pain in the joints, irritation of the eyes and painful urination. Reiter’s Syndrome can lead to chronic arthritis which is difficult to treat. Additionally, if the salmonella bacteria enter the bloodstream, it could be serious, even fatal.
According to reports, Setton Farms purchased their Terra Bella, California pistachio plant from Dole in 1995. Since that time, it has increased capacity to more than 60 million pounds a year. Considering that Setton Farms, is the second largest producer of pistachios in the United States, there may be many products ultimately subject to the salmonella recall. Sadly, this was the pattern we saw with the most recent peanut outbreak.
