Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) have issued a nationwide warning: certain pistachio products may be contaminated with Salmonella, a bacteria that can cause severe gastrointestinal illness. The alert follows laboratory confirmation of the pathogen in samples linked to a California-based processor, with illnesses reported in three provinces.
As of Tuesday, the CFIA has recalled over a dozen brands of roasted, salted, and flavored pistachios sold across major grocery chains, including bulk-bin varieties at national retailers. Illnesses have been confirmed in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario, with symptoms including fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps appearing 6 to 72 hours after consumption.
Investigators traced the source to a single processing facility in Kern County, California, where environmental swabs tested positive for Salmonella Enteritidis. The U.S. FDA has placed the facility on import alert, halting shipments into Canada. Many affected products bear “Best Before” dates ranging from June 2024 to February 2025, making visual identification critical consumers are urged to check lot numbers against the CFIA’s online recall list.
In Edmonton, a local food co-op sprang into action, pulling all bulk nuts within hours of the alert. “We cross-referenced every supplier invoice,” said Moreau, who helped coordinate the response. “This isn’t just about one snack it’s about trust in our food system.” Meanwhile, a youth initiative at a Toronto high school where students run a nutrition program switched to pre-approved seed alternatives, demonstrating how communities adapt even amid uncertainty.
Health officials stress that thorough cooking can kill Salmonella, but since most pistachios are eaten raw or dry-roasted, cooking isn’t a reliable safeguard. The safest step: discard any suspect products or return them to the place of purchase. Symptoms typically resolve in 4–7 days, but young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals face higher risks of hospitalization.
As investigators continue tracing distribution pathways, the recall serves as a stark reminder of how interconnected and fragile our food supply can be. In a world where a single nut can cross continents before reaching your hand, vigilance isn’t paranoia it’s protection. And sometimes, the most ordinary snack carries the weight of an entire system’s responsibility.
0 Comments