Products containing pistachio sold at Mississauga bakery recalled amid salmonella outbreak

FILE - Pistachio nuts on display in a March 31, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Ebrahim Noroozi

Several pistachio-containing products sold at a Mississauga bakery in May are being recalled due to possible salmonella contamination.

The products were sold at Soltan Bakery at 109-808 Britannia Rd. between May 17 and May 30.

The recalled products are:

• Assbeh with Pistachio
• Kol O Shkor with Pistachio
• Swar with Pistachio
• Turkish Assbeh with Pistachio
• Balaurieh with Pistachio
• Basma with Pistachio
• Borma with Pistachio
• Eash Alesfur with Pistachio
• Baklava with Pistachio

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said in an advisory on Wednesday that the recall is linked to an ongoing salmonella outbreak involving various brands of pistachios and pistachio-containing products.

“Food contaminated with salmonella may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick,” the CFIA said. Short-term symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps and diarrhea.

The agency advised throwing out the recalled products or returning them to the seller.

The CFIA has issued more than a dozen food recall notifications since July 25, when a Habibi brand Pistachio Kernel was ordered to be taken off store shelves.

As of Aug. 19, there have been 62 confirmed cases of Salmonella connected to the outbreak, 11 of which are in Ontario. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), a two-year-old child was among the individuals who became sick.

“Many people who became sick reported eating pistachios, and products containing pistachios, such as Dubai-style chocolate and pastry products,” PHAC said.

“The outbreak strains of salmonella that made people sick were found in samples of the recalled Habibi brand pistachios and samples of the recalled Dubai brand Pistachio & Knafeh Milk Chocolate. The investigation is ongoing and it is possible that additional sources may be identified.”

PHAC noted that the actual number of cases is likely higher, as many may have mild symptoms and do not get tested. The agency said researchers estimate for each confirmed case, there are 26 that are not reported.