Canada bans pistachio imports from Iran amid salmonella outbreak

Pistachio nuts on display in a March 31, 2013 in western Tehran, Iran.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has temporarily banned pistachio imports from Iran as part of a national response to an ongoing salmonella outbreak that has affected more than 100 people across the country.

The government agency announced Saturday that it will restrict the import of pistachios and pistachio-containing products from Iran until further notice, citing the need to protect Canadians from the risk of illness.

“These measures are being taken as a precautionary step while we analyze ongoing surveillance and inspection data,” CFIA said in a statement.

The ban comes as the Public Health Agency of Canada continues to investigate an outbreak of salmonella infections linked to pistachio kernels and products.

More than 100 laboratory-confirmed cases have been reported, along with multiple food recalls.

Effective immediately, pistacio importers will be required to prove that any of their products entering Canada do not originate from Iran. If proof is not provided, shipments will either be subjected to testing or refused entry outright.

Importers who fail to comply with federal food safety rules could face enforcement actions, including fines, licence suspensions, or even criminal prosecution, the agency said.

The CFIA says the restrictions will remain in place while food safety investigations continue.