Pistachios Recalled on Salmonella Fears

March 25, 2009 -- Two U.S. companies recalled pistachio products today?because of the risk of contamination with salmonella bacteria.

Those companies are the Georgia Nut Company, which is based in Skokie, Ill., and Back to Nature Foods Company of Madison, Wis.

No illnesses have been reported from any of the recalled pistachio products.

Salmonella infection can cause fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Most people recover within a week without medicine, but severe and even life-threatening complications can arise; young children, frail or elderly people, and people with weak immune systems are more vulnerable.

Here are the details on the pistachio recalls, which aren't linked to recent recalls of peanut products.

The Georgia Nut Company says it's recalling certain bulk wholesale and retail products containing shelled pistachios as a precaution, and that no illnesses have been reported.

Those products are:

• Bulk Deluxe Mixed Nuts with shelled pistachios purchased at the Not Just Nuts store in Wauwatosa, Wis. from Dec. 5, 2008 through March 24, 2009
• Bulk or custom packaged Deluxe Mixed Nuts with shelled pistachios purchased at Georgia Nut retail stores in Skokie and Glenview, Ill., Georgia Nut’s Chocolate House location in Greenfield, Wis., and through the company’s web site from Dec 11, 2008 through March 23, 2009
• Bulk or custom packaged Dry Roasted Shelled Pistachios purchased at Georgia Nut retail stores in Skokie and Glenview, Ill., Georgia Nut’s Chocolate House location in Greenfield, Wis., and through the Company’s web site from Dec 3, 2008 through March 23, 2009
• ?Mixed Nuts Deluxe Roasted and Salted Bulk with shelled pistachios purchased from clear plastic bulk bins in the produce department at Dominick’s Finer Foods stores in the greater Chicago area from Dec. 10, 2008 through March 25, 2009.

In a news release, the Georgia Nut Company advised consumers not to eat the recalled products and to return those items to the place of purchase for a replacement or refund.

For more information, call the Georgia Nut company's 24-hour consumer information line at 800-914-4110 or visit the company's web site.

The Back to Nature Foods Company is recalling its Nantucket Blend trail mix sold nationwide. The recall includes the following products:

• Back to Nature Nantucket Blend trail mix, 28-ounce bag, UPC code 59283-00020 and a "best by" date between 08 20 09 and 12 12 09.
• Back to Nature Nantucket Blend trail mix, 10-ounce bag, UPC code 59283-31039 and a "best by" date between 11 04 09 and 12 12 09.

The "best by" date is located on the back of the package.

Back to Nature Foods Company advises consumers to discard the recalled Nantucket Blend trail mix and to call the company at 866-538-8280 with any questions.

The Georgia Nut Company made the Nantucket Blend trail mix for the Back to Nature Food Company, using pistachios purchased from a supplier in California, Georgia Nut Company spokesman Bill Plunkett tells WebMD. It's not clear where the salmonella risk originated.