More pistachios recalled after positive Salmonella test result

Texas Star Nut and Food Co. Inc. voluntarily recalled certain Nature’s Eats branded natural pistachio kernels today because of possible Salmonella contamination.  The recalled pistachios are packaged in 8-ounce cellophane bags with the lot code number 40262001 and a “best buy” date of Jan. 4, 2017. The company ceased distribution of this lot, according to the recall notice.  Retailers in Texas and Louisiana received the implicated pistachios. The nuts were sold between Jan. 22 and Feb. 3. Public officials are concerned that consumers may still have the recalled pistachios in their homes.  Texas Star Nut and Food Co. initiated the recall after a routine, random sampling program by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration returned a positive Salmonella result from a package of the pistachios tested by an FDA third-party contracted lab.  Salmonella is a microscopic organism which 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 often experience fever, diarrhea that can be bloody, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism invading the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections including infected aneurysms, endocarditis and arthritis.  No illnesses have been reported in relation to this product to date.     (To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)