The FDA and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) continue to investigate Salmonella contamination in pistachios and pistachio products.  Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella, Inc., Terra Bella, California (“Setton”), has recalled all lots of roasted pistachios produced from nuts harvested in 2008 and also from the 2007 crop that were processed on the same equipment as the 2008 crop, since September 1, 2008.

The FDA has determined that three environmental samples and one finished product sample obtained during the inspection of Setton’s processing plant were positive for Salmonella.  The same Salmonella type (Salmonella Montevideo) with the same genetic fingerprint was found in all four samples.  FDA has provided PulseNet, the CDC database of bacterial DNA fingerprints, with the DNA fingerprints of the Salmonella strains found in association with the company’s products.  Some of the DNA fingerprints of the Salmonella strains from the pistachio products match the DNA fingerprints of Salmonella strains from recently ill persons already in the PulseNet database.  The CDC is investigating whether the other cases infected with this strain of Salmonella have had exposure to pistachios from Setton.

The FDA has issued a letter to pistachio processors in the United States reminding them of their legal responsibility to ensure that the products they are providing are safe for consumption.  The FDA intends to examine current pistachio industry practices and issue guidance to the industry that provides additional information on measures to be taken to prevent Salmonella contamination.