OTTAWA – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued a massive nationwide recall affecting 314 pistachio and pistachio-containing products following a widespread Salmonella outbreak. The recall covers a vast array of items including raw kernels, roasted nuts, and specialty sweets like Dubai-style chocolates and baklava that were distributed across Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Nova Scotia. Health officials are urging consumers to immediately stop using these products, advising that they should be either thrown away or returned to the point of purchase. Anyone who suspects they have fallen ill after consuming the affected nuts is encouraged to contact a healthcare provider immediately.
The scale of the outbreak has grown significantly, with 155 laboratory-confirmed cases reported across Canada as of December 30. Public health data indicates that Quebec has been hit hardest with 77 cases, followed by Ontario with 58, British Columbia with nine, Alberta with seven, Manitoba with three, and New Brunswick with one. To date, 24 individuals have required hospitalization due to the severity of their infections. The CFIA noted that many of the contaminated products were traced back to pistachios imported from Iran, leading to a temporary ban on such imports to prevent further risk to the public.
Salmonella infection, or salmonellosis, can cause a range of distressing symptoms including fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and sudden headaches. According to the CFIA, these symptoms typically manifest between 6 to 72 hours after exposure to the bacteria. While most healthy individuals recover within four to seven days without specific treatment, the infection poses a much higher risk of severe or even life-threatening complications for young children, the elderly, pregnant individuals, and those with weakened immune systems. Officials emphasize that contaminated food may not appear or smell spoiled, making it essential for residents to check the official CFIA recall list to ensure their pantry items are safe.
