Pistachios are the subject of a series of recalls related to the salmonella outbreak, with some health officials saying it doesn't mean people should avoid all pistachio products, while others say they throw nuts.
Four brands of products containing pistachio and pistachio have been recalled over the past few weeks by Canadian food testing agencies due to the potential contamination of salmonella.
This includes Habibi's brand pistachio kernel, Almohtar Food Centre Pistachio, Dubai brand milk chocolate bar and Andalos brand baklava.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued recall notices for several Andalos branded baklava pastries, including pistachios that were distributed to New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec, and sold online.
Food Inspection Agency Canada
Canada's public health agency says 52 people have been ill and 10 have landed in hospital after eating baked goods containing contaminated pistachios and nuts.
They said that it's just a small part of the illness and many people have not been reported.
Front of a bar of Dubai brand pistachio and kunafe chocolate recalled for pollution of salmonella.
Food Inspection Agency Canada
It's not always easy to know if the pistachio brand is on dessert or chopped on salads, according to April Hexemer, director of outbreak management for public health agencies.
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“Some of the products people consumed are baked goods with pistachios scattered around the top. You don't know which brand of pistachios will become. But it's all part of the research,” she said.
So far, they recalled the Dubai chocolate with baklava pastries, including pistachios served at bakeries in Montreal, and the pistachio cream and crunchy Knafeh pastry pieces sold online throughout Canada.
“It's possible that other products have been identified. It's too early to know.”
She said at this point there was no indication that it was.
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The recall only covers certain brands of pistachios, but Lawrence Goodridge, professor of Foodborne Pathogen Dynamics at the University of Guelph and Canadian research chair, said it's safer to throw away all pistachios.
“My advice is not to consume any products containing pistachios for the next short period until the occurrence is declared by the PHAC,” he said.
That doesn't mean that the pistachios are contaminated across the board, but Goodridge said, “How is someone supposed to know where the pistachios came from?”
Hexemer said he would reach out to the place he bought if he wasn't sure if the bulk pistachios stored in the pantry were affected.
She also said commercial kitchens should check product codes and compare them with recall warnings.
“The important message is to throw away the recalled product and eat it, use it, serve it, sell it and distribute it,” she said.
Canada's public health agency says that Salmonella infections can affect people exposed to contaminated foods, and that if diagnosed they won't cook food for others.
Salmonella can spread from infected people with diarrhea, for example, through unwashed hands.
Public Health Notices say that even if you don't have symptoms, it can spread several days or weeks after a person is infected.
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