Canada-wide pistachio recall expands, includes Peace By Chocolate products

A nation-wide recall of pistachios and pistachio-containing products has been expanded to include a total of 333 products, including some from the Nova Scotia company Peace By Chocolate.

The recall is linked to an ongoing salmonella outbreak.

According to the CFIA, retail and food service businesses across Canada that could have the affected products include grocery and convenience stores, bakeries, chocolatiers, ice creameries, hotels, restaurants, institutional food services and other businesses that use pistachios as an ingredient.

The CFIA is encouraging Canadians to check their cupboards for pistachios and compare product details to recall notices.

According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) recall notice, the products recalled on Thursday were sold online and distributed nationally.

The Peace By Chocolate products included in the recall are:

• Dubai Style Chocolate Pistachio & Kunafa Bar
• The Peace Maker Specialty Bars - The Harmony Bar
• Trans Canada Trail - Peace Seeker
• Wishing you Happy Holidays from TD
• Our Classic Box - 15 assorted filled chocolates
• Proudly Canadian - 15 assorted filled chocolates
• 24 assorted filled chocolates
• 24 assorted filled dark chocolates
• 15 assorted filled chocolates
• 24 assorted filled chocolates
• 15 assorted artisan chocolates
• 32 assorted artisan chocolates
• two assorted filled chocolates (Dexterra - First Onsite Property Restoration)
• Thank you - 15 assorted filled chocolates (Tri County Regional Centre for Education)

According to the CFIA, the pistachios involved in the current recalls were imported from Iran.

As a result, the CFIA has implemented temporary measures to reduce the risk of salmonella contamination, including a temporary ban and updated licence conditions for businesses that import Iranian pistachio products and prepare products in Canada using these Iranian pistachios.

A public health notice also says not to cook or bake with pistachios if it’s not clear where they came from, as heat may not kill salmonella.

The federal agencies warn that food contaminated with salmonella may look or smell normal.

Most people who become ill recover fully on their own, but a salmonella infection can be serious for young children and people over 60, those with weakened immune systems and those who are pregnant. Common symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, fever and chills.

With files from CTV’s Robin Della Corte and The Canadian Press.