Pistachio salmonella outbreak and recalls

Canada’s public health agency declared the salmonella outbreak linked to contaminated pistachios, which began in March 2025 and caused 200 confirmed cases across six provinces, over in May 2026. The investigation was closed, but the Canadian Food Inspection Agency kept its import ban on pistachios and pistachio‑containing products from Iran, the source identified for the contamination.

In early August 2026, the CFIA issued a precautionary recall of a Canadian‑brand pistachio product sold in British Columbia and Alberta after testing suggested possible salmonella presence, although no illnesses had been reported. Simultaneously, a U.S. recall was launched for a pistachio nut‑butter sold through Walmart after the Florida Department of Agriculture detected salmonella in routine testing. Both recalls underscored ongoing vigilance by food‑safety authorities despite the outbreak being officially closed.

On 7 August 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a voluntary recall of one lot of Bettergoods Pistachio Nut Butter after the same Florida department found salmonella in three jars during a routine inspection at a Walmart store. The product, manufactured in Italy and distributed to stores in 19 states, showed no reported illnesses. Consumers were advised to return the 6.7‑ounce glass jars for a full refund.

The situation illustrates a shift from managing a widespread outbreak and maintaining an import ban to a series of targeted product recalls in North America, with health officials continuing to warn vulnerable groups about the risks of salmonella infection from pistachio products.