Class I Pistachio Recall Implemented Over Potential Salmonella Contamination

Torn and Glasser, Inc of Los Angeles, California, just recalled packaged pistachios over risks of potential contamination with the dangerous, sometimes deadly, Salmonella pathogen, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just announced.

This recall followed an expanded recall of pistachio products implemented by ARO Pistachio over its concerns of Salmonella contamination. That recall designation was upgraded from a Class II to a Class I, the agency’s most serious designation.

A Class I designation means that the recall involves a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, the violative product—in this case, the distributed, recalled ARO pistachios—will cause serious adverse health consequences or death. The Torn and Glasser recalled pistachio products contain pistachios supplied by the ARO processing plant, which is located in Terra Bella California.

The recalled pistachio product was distributed from February 21, 2012 to April 29, 2013 in California, Arizona, and Hawaii and includes the following products and lots:

• Torn and Glasser label Pistachios Natural, Roasted and Salted: Item Number 460-120; 24 8-ounce bags; UPC 0 72488 15002 7; Lot Code 3402; Lot code marking can be found on the front label.
• Hilo Label Pistachios Natural, Roasted and Salted: Item H460-084; 12 1-pound bag; UPC 0 72488 11209 4; Lot Code 0923; Lot Code marking can be found on the back corner next to the seal.
• Sun Harvest Label Pistachios Natural, Roasted and Salted: Item 460-123; 24 12-ounce bags; UPC 6 46670 30675 4; Best Before Date 04/11/2013 JD:1003 and Best Before Date  04/23/2013 JD:1133; Lot Code marking can be found on the back corner next to the seal.
• Sprouts Label Pistachios Natural, Roasted and Salted: Item SP460-145; 10-pound case (12 bags); UPC 2 06620 xxxxx x (random weight – UPC is different based on weight); Best Before Date 02/20/2013 JD:0513 and Best Before Date 02/25/2013 JD:0563; Lot Code marking can be found on the front label.

To date, Torn and Glasser, Inc. has not received any complaints of illness involving any of the recalled pistachios. Consumers who have purchased any of the recalled pistachios are urged not to eat them and to return the pistachios to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers may contact the firm at 1.310.605.4900, or toll-free at 1.800.282.6887, for information regarding the recall. The phone line is available from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Pacific Standard Time (PST), Monday to Friday.

Salmonella-contaminated food may not look or smell spoiled; however, consumption of food contaminated with the Salmonella bacteria may cause the food borne illness known as Salmonellosis. Symptoms of Salmonella poisoning include fever, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea and usually lasts four to seven days.

Most persons recover without antibiotic treatment; however, the diarrhea can be severe, and hospitalization may be required. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems may develop more serious illness with the infection potentially spreading from the intestines to the blood stream, and then to other body sites; this can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics.