International Foodsource LLC is recalling pistachios after random tests by the Food and Drug Administration showed Salmonella in a package of Valued Naturals brand raw pistachio kernels that was collected at retail. The Dover, NJ, company distributed the pistachios nationwide to retailers and food service operations.
“Consumers who have purchased this recalled product should not consume it. They should return it to the point of purchase,” according to the company’s recall notice on the Food and Drug Administration’s website. This was brought to our attention by FDA after their contract testing laboratory analysis revealed the presence of Salmonella in a 5-ounce retail bag of Valued Naturals brand raw pistachio kernels, company officials said in the notice. The positive Salmonella test was from one lot — No. 79249 — but the company is recalling additional lots because of concerns about possible cross contamination. “As a precaution, additional products are being recalled as they may be contaminated since they were packed from the master lot that came to our facility. We are working closely with FDA to determine the cause of this situation,” according to the company’s recall notice. Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy people infected with Salmonella can experience fever, diarrhea that may be bloody, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis. The specific recalled products and their identifying label information:
- Valued Naturals raw pistachio kernels: Lot 79249; 5-ounce bags; best by 08/10/16; UPC 790429241428
- Bulk raw whole pistachio 80% VP: 76114 (Sam International Lot# 102914); 3-pound boxes; best by 4/29/16; no UPC number.
- IFS club bag pistachio raw shelled 80% wholes: Lot 78634; 3-pound bags; best by 7/16/16; UPC 790429243026
- IFS web bulk pistachio – shelled 80% whole: Lot 78998; 30-pound boxes;07/30/16; UPC 790429239630
Images of product labels are available on the FDA website. (To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)
