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Public health investigating salmonella outbreak linked to pistachios | Globalnews.ca

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Wednesday, October 22nd 2025 at 20:35 GMT by Global News
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Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Pistachios Spurs Public Health Investigation and Recall

A national public health investigation is underway in Canada after a cluster of Salmonella infections was traced back to pistachios sold in grocery stores across several provinces. Health Canada’s Food Inspection Agency (FIA) issued a press release on June 12, 2024, confirming that the outbreak, which began in late May, involved 19 confirmed cases and three probable cases linked to a single brand of pistachios purchased between May 9 and May 25. The affected product was a 2‑kilogram bag of unshelled pistachios from the “Pistachio Delight” brand, produced by a manufacturer in California.

Timeline of the Outbreak

• May 9–25, 2024 – Consumers purchased the implicated pistachios.
• May 20, 2024 – The first cases of gastroenteritis were reported to provincial health units.
• June 3, 2024 – Health Canada received notification of a possible outbreak involving Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium.
• June 12, 2024 – FIA announced the investigation and the recall of the product.

The first symptoms reported were sudden onset of fever, abdominal cramps, nausea, and watery diarrhea lasting 3–7 days. Two patients required hospitalization for dehydration. No deaths have been reported to date. While the outbreak is geographically concentrated, the implicated pistachios were distributed nationwide, raising concerns about cross‑border contamination.

Public Health Response

Health Canada’s Food Inspection Agency, in coordination with provincial health units, has taken several immediate actions:

1. Recall of the Product – All unshelled pistachios from the implicated lot, identified by batch code “2024‑05‑01”, have been recalled from retailers. The recall notice, available on the FIA website, lists participating stores and instructions for consumers to return or discard the product.
2. Consumer Advisories – The government urges anyone who has purchased the brand in the last 30 days to check the product label for the batch code and to avoid eating it.
3. Enhanced Surveillance – Laboratories across the country are on heightened alert for Salmonella Typhimurium in stool samples.
4. Trace‑Back Investigation – FIA has traced the supply chain back to the importer in the United States and is working with U.S. authorities to identify the source of contamination.

The FIA’s spokesperson stated that “the investigation is in its early stages, but the epidemiologic link to the pistachios is clear.” The agency also requested that consumers who have experienced symptoms associated with Salmonella infection seek medical attention, especially if they are pregnant, elderly, or have compromised immune systems.

Links to Additional Information

• Health Canada Press Release – https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2024/06/salmonella-outbreak-pistachios.html
• Consumer Advisory on the Recall – https://www.foodinspectionagency.ca/recalls/pistachio-delight
• CDC Salmonella Overview – https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/index.html (provides clinical presentation, treatment guidelines, and preventive measures)
• Canadian Food Inspection Agency – Food Safety – https://www.canada.ca/en/inspection-agency.html

Consumer Safety Tips

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency recommends that consumers adopt the following practices to reduce the risk of Salmonella:

• Check the Batch Code – Verify that the product’s batch code is not part of the recalled lot.
• Maintain Food Hygiene – Wash hands before and after handling raw nuts, and use separate cutting boards for raw and cooked foods.
• Proper Storage – Store pistachios in a cool, dry place; avoid prolonged exposure to heat or moisture which can promote bacterial growth.
• Cooking and Roasting – Heating pistachios at 200°C (392°F) for 10–15 minutes can kill Salmonella, although many consumers prefer raw or lightly roasted nuts.
• Follow Up on Health Symptoms – Seek medical care if experiencing fever, vomiting, severe diarrhea, or blood in stool.

Broader Context and Lessons Learned

This outbreak follows a series of foodborne illness investigations tied to pistachios in North America, including a notable case in the United States in 2021 involving Salmonella Typhimurium linked to roasted pistachios. These incidents underscore the challenges of ensuring food safety in a globalized supply chain where raw materials, processing, and distribution cross borders. The FDA’s 2020 “Pistachio Safety Program” aimed to reduce contamination risks, yet the current outbreak demonstrates that new contamination pathways can still arise.

The investigation also highlights the importance of rapid trace‑back capabilities. By identifying the implicated batch code early, Health Canada was able to coordinate a targeted recall, limiting consumer exposure and preventing further cases. Ongoing collaboration between Canadian and U.S. regulators is essential, as both countries import and export pistachios.

Moving Forward

Health Canada’s Food Inspection Agency plans to publish a detailed investigation report once the outbreak investigation is complete. In the interim, consumers and retailers are encouraged to remain vigilant and to report any suspected cases of Salmonella associated with pistachios or other nuts. Public awareness campaigns, enhanced testing protocols, and stricter import inspections are expected to become integral components of the response strategy.

By closely monitoring the outbreak and implementing robust recall procedures, Canada aims to protect public health while maintaining confidence in the safety of its food supply. The collaboration between federal agencies, provincial health units, and international partners demonstrates a coordinated approach to addressing foodborne threats in an increasingly interconnected marketplace.