Salmonella outbreak tied to pistachios leaves nine hospitalized, 52 sick
A salmonella outbreak has prompted the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to expand its recall of several pistachio products across the country.
The CFIA announced the recall of various pistachio brands and products that contain pistachios. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) followed up with a public health notice about an outbreak of salmonella infections. As of Aug. 5, there have been 52 reported illnesses in B.C., Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec, and nine people have been hospitalized.
“People became sick between early March and mid-July 2025. Of the cases reported, nine people have been hospitalized, and there have been no deaths,” reads the notice. “People who became sick are between two and 89 years of age. The majority of sick individuals are female (75 per cent).”
However, the PHAC states that the numbers only include laboratory-confirmed cases and that “the actual number of sick people in Canada is likely much higher.”
“Many people have mild symptoms and don’t go to the doctor, so they aren’t tested. Researchers estimate that for each case of Salmonella reported to public health, there are 26 more cases that are not reported,” it stated.
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Illnesses occurred between early March and mid-July.
After testing samples, the PHAC said that it found outbreak strains of salmonella in the Habibi brand of pistachios. As a result, there are active recalls for the following products:
- Habibi brand Pistachio Kernel — 10 kg, UPC 70847446000626, Lot: 361.24IR41 B.B JAN 2027
- Al Mokhtar Food Centre brand Pistachio — 450 g, UPC 2 60164 54022 8, Sold at: 383 McArthur Avenue, Ottawa, Ont.
- Dubai brand Pistachio and Knafeh Milk Chocolate — 145 g, UPC 6 11834 51237 1, Code: 225.174
Although the recalled products were distributed to Ontario and Quebec, the Dubai brand of pistachio and the knafeh milk chocolate bars were also available to purchase online. The investigation is ongoing, but the CFIA may identify additional sources in the future.
Do not consume, serve, use, sell, or distribute any of the recalled products. If you find that you own the recalled products, throw them out or return them to where they were purchased.
Symptoms appear within six to 72 hours of exposure to Salmonellosis and end within four to seven days. Symptoms may include chills, fever, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, or a sudden headache. Although most people recover, it can be life-threatening to others. Older adults, young children, and people who are pregnant or have weakened immune systems are at high risk for serious illness.