Pistachio recall expands to New York plant

Setton International Foods has some ownership in common with the California-based Setton Pistachio that recalled more than two million pounds of pistachios due to possible salmonella contamination last week. Setton International Foods announced it was recalling its pistachios for the same reason on Friday, which were supplied by Setton Pistachio.

The FDA said that it had found rodent droppings and cockroaches prior to both recalls, during a surprise inspection of the New York plant on March 9, although the company said that it has since rectified the situation.

Setton International said in a statement published on its website: “This voluntary recall is not in any way related to any inspection conducted by New York State or the United States Food and Drug Administration.”​

It has recalled several bulk-packaged pistachio products, including mixed nuts, shelled pistachios and chocolate-covered pistachios, but said none of its unshelled pistachios are affected.

Both Setton International and Setton Pistachio are currently under investigation by the FDA in relation to the recall.

It said that two people have reported illnesses that could be related to pistachios, although it is still conducting tests in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in order to determine if they are connected to the recall.

Cross-contamination​

The New York-based company said that its pistachios were processed at the Terra Bella plant in California, where it is thought that contaminated raw pistachios may have come into contact with roasted ones prior to distribution. If correct procedures are observed, roasting should kill salmonella, but FDA officials speculated last week that there could be an issue with the proper handling of nuts at the Californian plant.

Last week, assistant commissioner for food protection at the FDA David Acheson, said that Setton Pistachio knew it had a salmonella problem after its own tests revealed contamination and it had re-roasted tainted nuts, an accepted way of killing salmonella after it has been identified.

Ongoing tests​

It was Kraft Foods that first raised the alarm about the possibility of contamination after its own routine testing found the pistachios to be tainted. The company notified the FDA on March 24.

The FDA has praised the way the recall has been carried out, saying that it exemplifies how the food safety system should work, ensuring that products are withdrawn as a precautionary measure, rather than as a reaction to illness.

Other companies affected by the recall include Frito-Lay, Kroger, Whole Foods Market, Fritz Company, John B Sanfilippo, Publix Supermarkets and Pine River Pre-Pack. Consumers can check the FDA website for a list of recalled products, but until further information becomes available, the FDA is advising consumers to avoid eating pistachio products.