Recalls could grow after latest salmonella scare

Last Update: 3/31 12:29 pm

TERRA BELLA, Calif. (AP) - The company at the center of a nationwide pistachio recall says the salmonella contamination could have come from raw nuts during processing but not a human or animal source in its plant.

Lee Cohen, the production manager for Setton International Foods Inc., said Tuesday the company suspects roasted pistachios sold to Kraft Foods may have become mixed at Setton's plant with raw nuts that could have contained traces of the bacteria.

The pistachios were processed at central California-based Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella Inc., which is in the corporate family of Setton International Foods Inc.

Meanwhile, Kraft expanded its recall to include any Planters and Back to Nature products that contain pistachios.

Health officials have warned people not to eat any products containing pistachios while they investigate. That, after two people called the FDA complaining of gastrointestinal illness that could be associated with the nuts.

The Food and Drug Administration expects the number of products recalled because of the latest salmonella scare to grow in the coming days.

The government says California-based Setton Pistachio is voluntarily recalling more than 2 million pounds of its roasted nuts shipped since last fall. Setton is the nation's second-largest pistachio processor.

California health officials say because Setton Pistachio shipped tote bags of nuts weighing up to 2,000 pounds to 36 wholesalers across the country, it will take weeks to figure out how many products could be affected.


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