USA Today reports that the FDA “recall last week of 2 million pounds of pistachios because of concerns about salmonella contamination has been expanded, and federal officials say more recalls of foods containing pistachios are on the horizon.” Already this week the recall was expanded “to cover Setton’s entire 2008 crop, except for raw in-shell pistachios. Most pistachios sold in stores are roasted.” David Acheson, the FDA’s associate commissioner for foods, said that “Setton had been processing raw and roasted pistachios on the same production lines without adequate cleaning between uses,” adding, “Not a good idea.” He noted, “There were a number of other factors that demonstrated a lack of microbiological control in the facility.” Still, while “Setton did not respond to detailed questions… Acheson says it’s his impression that the company is ‘really busting to try to clean up the facility.'” Currently, the “FDA is telling consumers and industry to not use any pistachios or foods with pistachios unless the agency can confirm that the products do not contain nuts recalled by Setton.”
ABC News noted in a story on its website that the pistachio recall is set to expand, and Acheson “told ABC News that’s because the FDA has found positive salmonella tests on equipment at the plant Setton Pistachio.” Acheson said, “So far the FDA has found two positive samples from environmental testing in the processing facility.” He added that “those positive tests came from equipment that handles pistachios before the roasting process — a process that is supposed to kill the bacteria.”
From the American Association for Justice news release.
