Follow-up on pistachio products with suspected Salmonella contamination

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) was informed by the US authorities that two Hong Kong companies had imported pistachios from Setton Farms in California, USA, in late 2008.

The US authorities said Setton Farms recently conducted a voluntary recall of its pistachio products suspected of Salmonella contamination.

"According to information from the US authorities, Kai Fat Food Co. Limited (address: G/F, 128 Wing Lok Street, Hong Kong) and Smart Year Limited (address: Room 8, 12/F, Wah Wai Centre, 38-40 Au Pui Wan Street, Fo Tan, Sha Tin, New Territories), had imported about 8,900 boxes (25lb. each) and 1,100 boxes (25lb. each) of pistachios from Setton Farms in late 2008 respectively. The two companies have stopped selling the products," a CFS spokesman said today (April 9).

"According to information from Smart Year Limited, the products were sold in loose form at counters set up in 17 supermarkets and department stores (see annexed table for details) during Christmas last year and Lunar New Year period this year. These outlets have ceased selling the products."

"We have alerted the trade of the incident. We appeal to the trade to stop selling the pistachios that were purchased from the companies concerned. If consumers are in possession of any of the pistachios bought from these retailers or companies, they should not consume them. They should dispose of them and thoroughly wash their hands afterwards.

"If people have doubts about the pistachios they have purchased, they should not consume them. They should ask the retailers or distributors concerned for the source of the products."

"The CFS has been in close contact with the US authorities in regard to the Salmonella contamination incident in the country to keep abreast of the latest development."

Consumers and the trade can obtain the latest information of the recalled pistachio products from the US Food and Drug Administration website at www.fda.gov/pistachios.

Salmonella is a pathogen that may cause food poisoning. The symptoms include nausea, fever, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting. The symptoms are more severe in infants and the elderly.

"The CFS will continue to closely monitor the situation," the spokesman said.

Ends/Thursday, April 9, 2009


Retailers that sold Setton Farms pistachios