The FDA and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) are investigating Salmonella contamination in pistachio products sold by Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella Inc, Calif.   The company has stopped all distribution of processed pistachios and has issued a recall of over 1 million pounds of its products.   The company distributes bulk roasted pistachios to about 35 wholesalers that repack the products and distribute them to other companies.  Setton Pistachio is the nation’s second largest supplier of domestically grown pistachios.

The FDA has warned consumers to avoid eating  pistachios because tests showed that the pistachios were contaminated with four different strains of Salmonella - Montevideo, Newport, Senftenberg, and Larochelle.  

The FDA first learned of the problem on March 24, when it was informed by Kraft Foods that its Back To Nature Trail Mix was found to be contaminated with Salmonella. Kraft had identified the source of the contamination to be pistachios from Setton and conducted a recall.