Salmonella contamination found in pistachios: Expert advice on handling your nuts during the recall
Recall of Pistachios and Pistachio Products in Canada Due to Salmonella Outbreak
Four brands of pistachios and pistachio-containing products have been recalled in Canada due to a Salmonella outbreak. This recall was issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency following an outbreak linked to Salmonella Havana and Salmonella Mbandaka strains found in these products.
The affected brands include: - Habibi brand Pistachio Kernels - Al Mokhtar Food Centre pistachios - Dubai brand Pistachio & Knafeh Milk Chocolate bars - Andalos brand baklava and other pastry products containing pistachios
These recalls were prompted by at least 52 confirmed illnesses, including 10 hospitalizations, across provinces including Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia, and Manitoba.
The recalled Habibi pistachios specifically include a 10 kg package with lot number 344.24IR41 and a best-before date of January 2027, distributed in British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec. The Andalos brand recall includes various baklava and other pistachio-containing pastries, some sold without brand labeling.
At this point, there is no indication of other products being affected. However, Professor Lawrence Goodridge, a professor and Canada Research Chair in foodborne pathogen dynamics at the University of Guelph, advises against consuming any products containing pistachios until the outbreak is declared over by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).
Goodridge notes it's difficult to identify the source of pistachios in some products. This makes it crucial for commercial kitchens to check product codes and compare them to recall warnings. The PHAC also states that there could be other products identified, but it's too soon to know.
It's important to note that Salmonella can spread several days or weeks after a person is infected, even if they don't show symptoms. The outbreak can affect anyone exposed to a contaminated food product. The key message is to discard the recalled product and avoid consuming, using, serving, selling, or distributing it.
The Public Health Agency of Canada also warns against cooking food for others if diagnosed with salmonella. Salmonella can spread from an infected person through unwashed hands.
This report was first published on August 9, 2025, by The Canadian Press. Canadian Press health coverage receives support through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. CP is solely responsible for this content.
For those who have purchased the recalled products, it is recommended to contact the place where they were purchased for further instructions.
References: [1] The Canadian Press. (2025, August 9). Four brands of pistachios recalled over salmonella fears. CBC News. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/habibi-pistachios-recall-salmonella-1.5689671
[2] The Canadian Press. (2025, August 9). Pistachios recalled over salmonella fears. Global News. Retrieved from https://globalnews.ca/news/8236193/pistachios-recall-salmonella/
[3] The Canadian Press. (2025, August 9). Habibi pistachios recalled over salmonella fears. CTV News. Retrieved from https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/habibi-pistachios-recalled-over-salmonella-fears-1.5689643
[4] The Canadian Press. (2025, August 10). More cases expected in salmonella outbreak linked to pistachios. CBC News. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/more-cases-expected-in-salmonella-outbreak-linked-to-pistachios-1.5690414
[5] The Canadian Press. (2025, August 10). Andalos brand baklava and other pistachio-containing products recalled over salmonella fears. CTV News. Retrieved from https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/andalos-brand-baklava-and-other-pistachio-containing-products-recalled-over-salmonella-fears-1.5690614
- It's advisable to avoid consuming health-and-wellness products that contain food-and-drink items such as pistachios, especially those from the recalled brands, due to the ongoing Salmonella outbreak.
- To promote a healthy lifestyle, anyone concerned about being exposed to Salmonella from contaminated products should consult the science and technology experts for guidance on suspect items, such as food-and-drink products like pistachios and pistachio-containing items.
