Home / Health / Iranian Pistachios Linked to Salmonella Outbreak
Iranian Pistachios Linked to Salmonella Outbreak
4 Dec
Summary
- 155 salmonella infections reported in Canada, investigation ongoing.
- Iranian pistachios recalled; authorities advise avoiding them.
- Canada implements mandatory testing for Iranian pistachios.
Federal officials in Canada are investigating a significant salmonella outbreak linked to Iranian pistachios, with 155 confirmed infections reported across the country. As a precautionary measure, authorities have advised consumers to consider alternatives to Iranian pistachios and products containing them. This advisory comes as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued recalls for various brands of pistachios and pistachio-based products.
Health officials noted that many who fell ill reported consuming pistachios and products made with them, such as chocolate and pastries. Salmonella infection, a food-borne bacterial illness, can cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms. The investigation is ongoing, and it is emphasized that heat may not effectively kill salmonella in pistachios, urging consumers to discard or return recalled items.
To bolster safety, Canada has implemented a temporary ban on importing pistachios and related products from Iran, effective September 27. Furthermore, all federally licensed importers and manufacturers must now hold and test any Iranian pistachios imported before this date for salmonella before they can be sold.
