Texas Pistachios and Salmonella

Texas Pistachios and Salmonella Lead to Nationwide Recall

Texas Star Nut and Food Co. Inc., a pistachio producer based in Boerne, Texas issued a voluntary recall on March 10 for pistachio products that had been shipped to retailers throughout Texas and Louisiana because of tests by a third-party lab contracted by the Food and Drug Administration that indicated possible salmonella contamination.

Specifically, the initial recall covered one batch of Nature’s Eats pistachio kernels that were sold in 8-ounce cellophane bags affixed with a Lot Code of 40262001 an containing a “best-by” date of Jan. 4, 2017. Again, those products were sold at retailers throughout Texas and Louisiana only between Jan. 22 and Feb. 3, 2016.

Unfortunately, yesterday the company announced an expansion of that recall to include many more products that have been shipped nationwide under a variety of brands. In all, the recall expansion adds eight additional product lines under the brand names of Nature’s Eats, Fresh Choice and Southern Grove. Here is the full list of products being recalled;

• Fresh Choice Survivor Mix, 4.75oz, UPC 0-39759-17030-6, Best-by: 9/11/2016 – 1/13/2017
• Southern Grove Survival Mix, 10oz, UPC 0-41498-21118-9, Best-by: 8/27/2016 – 2/2/2017
• Southern Grove Go Raw, 8oz, UPC 0-41498-21123-3, Best-by: 8/17/2016 – 9/14/2016
• Nature’s Eats Natural Pistachios, 8oz, UPC 8-32112-00271-5, Best-by:  8/3/2016 – 1/14/2017
• Nature’s Eats Survivor Mix, 10oz, UPC 8-32112-00345-3, Best-by: 9/3/2016 – 1/18/2017
• Nature’s Eats Hill Country Ramblin’, 15oz, UPC 8-32112-00364-4, Best-by: 8/14/2016 – 2/1/2017
• Nature’s Eats Austin’s Nutty All-Terrain, 12oz, UPC 8-32112-00371-2, Best-by: 8/21/2016 – 1/28/2017
• Nature’s Eats Almond & Pistachio Duo, 6oz, UPC 8-32112-00380-4, Best-by: 9/8/2016 – 2/8/2017
• Nature’s Eats Simply Go Raw, 8oz, UPC 8-32112-00383-5, Best-by: 8/13/2016 -1/25/2017

These products were distributed nationwide and sold between Aug. 13, 2015 and Feb. 24, 2016. The company has noted that, so far, no illnesses have been associated with the product. In fact, one reason they initiated the recall was because, with the long shelf life of the product, most would still not have been consumed as yet This is good, since the Salmonella bacteria is potentially very dangerous. For normal, healthy adults, infection can result in fever and body aches, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, which an sometimes be bloody. In some cases, the bacteria can get into the bloodstream and result in far more serious illnesses, including arterial infections, arthritis and endocarditis.

Texas Star Nut and Food Co. Inc. has ceased production and distribution of all products containing pistachio kernels for the time being. They are urging any consumers who have any of these products to stop eating them and return them to the store where they were purchased for a full refund of the purchase price.

Anyone who has any of the above products should follow the recall and either throw them away or return them for a refund and be examined by a doctor because Salmonella is potentially very harmful. If you or a loved one has become ill after eating pistachio kernels or any other food that has been contaminated, please contact the Food Poisoning Attorney atthe Hill Law Firm as soon as possible after seeing a doctor. We have the experience and skill to make sure any food producer is held accountable for not handling their products in the safest way possible. Let us help you protect your rights under the law.