The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has significantly widened a nationwide food recall, now encompassing pistachio products distributed across the country. This action is directly connected to an ongoing investigation into a salmonella outbreak that has raised serious public health concerns.
Details of the Expanded Recall
Initially targeting specific brands and lot codes, the recall has now been broadened to include a wider range of pistachio items. These products may have been sold in various packaging formats, including bulk bins, pre-packaged bags, and as ingredients in other food items. The CFIA issued the updated recall notice on December 30, 2025, advising consumers, retailers, and distributors to immediately check their inventories.
The recall was triggered by test results that revealed the presence of Salmonella bacteria in certain pistachio products. Salmonella infection can cause serious and sometimes fatal illnesses in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
What Consumers Need to Do
The agency is urging all Canadians to examine their homes for any pistachio products that may be subject to this recall. Consumers should look for specific brand names, lot numbers, and UPC codes listed in the official CFIA recall notice. Do not consume, serve, use, sell, or distribute the recalled products. They should either be thrown out or returned to the point of purchase.
This recall is being conducted as part of a Class I classification, which the CFIA reserves for situations where there is a high risk of serious health consequences or death from consuming a food product. The agency is working closely with the manufacturer and distributors to ensure the affected products are effectively removed from the marketplace.
Ongoing Investigation and Public Health Response
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is collaborating with provincial and territorial public health partners to monitor the outbreak. There have been reported cases of illness potentially linked to the consumption of the contaminated pistachios. The investigation is ongoing to determine the full scope and source of the contamination.
This incident underscores the importance of robust food safety systems. The CFIA states that it is verifying that industry is removing the recalled products from store shelves and distribution networks. No related recalls have been reported in other countries at this time, according to the available information.
For the most current list of recalled products, including specific brand names and product details that were not fully enumerated in the initial alert, consumers are directed to the CFIA's official website. The agency promises to update the public as more information becomes available from the continuing investigation.
