Pistachio recall for six Montreal-area companies over Salmonella risk

Pistachio nuts on display in a March 31, 2013 in western Tehran, Iran. Wonderful brand pistachios are being recalled in Canada due to possible salmonella contamination. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Ebrahim Noroozi

Quebec health inspectors are warning of several additional pistachio recalls affecting the Montreal area, all due to a risk of Salmonella contamination.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ), along with the Food Inspection Division of the City of Montreal, are warning the public not to consume pistachios sold by the following companies:

• The Aliments Best Nuts Inc. products were sold in bulk as loose pistachios on sale until Aug. 1. The company is located at 4701 Saint-Jean Blvd., in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, and the product was sold only at that location.
• The Marché 786 nuts were sold in a vacuum-packed clear plastic bag until Sept. 3. The company is located at 772 Jean-Talon St. West, in Montreal.
• The Maison des noix pistachios were sold at 710 Curé-Labelle Blvd. in Laval until Aug. 1 in bulk and only at that establishment.
• The Fabrique à Noix de Montréal were sold in bulk as loose pistachios on sale until Aug. 1. The company is located at 9360 Charles-De La Tour Street.
• The Pistacherie were sold in bulk as loose pistachios on sale until June 1. The company is located at 9755 Boulevard de l’Acadie.
• At Marché Nuvo, located at 1263 Jean-Talon Street East, the nut product was offered for sale until Aug. 1, only at that establishment.

The warnings follow several other recalls over contaminated pistachios at establishments across Canada, triggering a national outbreak of Salmonella infections.

People who have this product are advised not to consume it. They should return it to where it was purchased or discard it. Even if the affected product does not show any signs of spoilage or a suspicious odour, eating it may pose a health risk, the food inspection agency said.

MAPAQ warns that eating food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria can cause salmonellosis, a foodborne illness.

The illness can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems.

In healthy people, it can cause short-term symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, sometimes with blood in the stool.

Symptoms usually appear six to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. They last an average of three to seven days. Salmonellosis can lead to long-term complications, including severe arthritis.

Anyone who thinks they might have symptoms related to Salmonella should consult a health professional, MAPAQ said.