Facility Cross-Contamination Fears Forcing Pistachio Provider to Expand Recall Scope
April 14, 2009 Kyriaki (Sandy) Venetis 
Photo courtesy of Caren Firouz.
TERRA BELLA, Calif.- Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella Inc. is voluntarily expanding its recall to include all lots of roasted in-shell pistachios, roasted shelled pistachios, and shelled raw pistachios that were produced from nuts harvested in 2008, due to concerns about potential Salmonella contamination.
The bacteria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.
The expanded recall comes after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the California Department of Public Health inspected the company facilities and found the presence of Salmonella in critical areas, which contributed to the fear of potential cross-contamination between raw and roasted products.