Pistachios were the source of a 2013 Salmonella outbreak, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The outbreak was mentioned in a warning letter the agency sent to ARO Pistachios Inc. of Terra Bella, CA notifying the company of food code violations discovered by FDA inspectors.
In July 2013, two companies issued recalls for products containing ARO pistachios. At that time, illnesses had not been linked to the products under recall. Torn and Glasser of Los Angeles recalled bags of pistachios sold under the brand names Torn and Glasser, Hilo, Sun Harvest, and Sprouts on July 12. And on July 15, Western Mixers Produce & Nut Company of Los Angeles, California recalled bags and boxes of Treasured Harvest brand pistachios.Epidemiological testing revealed that ARO pistachios were the likely source of a cluster of salmonellosis infections reported from January through May 2013, according to the letter. “Therefore, we believe that your pistachios were also adulterated within the meaning of Section 402(a)(1) of the FFD&C Act because they contained the pathogenic bacteria Salmonella, a poisonous or deleterious substance that may render a product injurious to health,” the letter states.
During an inspection from May 21 through May 24, FDA investigators found at least two instances where the company failed to protect product from becoming contaminated. First, an employee in the roasting room “was observed repeatedly touching the bottom of shipping boxes that were resting on the floor and then touching roasted, ready-to-eat, pistachios without washing or sanitizing hands.” Second, “maintenance personnel were observed entering and exiting the hand sorting room through a door that opens directly to the outside of the facility. Apparent bird droppings were observed on the floor of the outside areas where maintenance personnel were observed working and entering the hand sorting room.
Inside the hand sorting room, two buckets containing floor sweepings of pistachios, dust, and debris, were observed near the hand sorting production lines. During the inspection, you stated that the buckets of floor swept pistachios will be reworked into finished product. The movement of employees from the outside of the facility (where apparent bird droppings were observed) into the hand sorting room may introduce contaminants into your facility and contaminate finished food, particularly based on your practice of reworking pistachios from the floor.”
The letter warns ARO that failure to promptly correct the violations could result in enforcement action , such as seizure or injunction, without further notice. ARO has until January 28 to respond.
