The announcement comes just months after peanut butter products produced at two plants belonging to Peanut Corporation of Americawere linked to a salmonella outbreak that infected almost 700 people in 46 states. Moreover, nine people are believed to have died after contracting the infection.

 

Now routine tests by Kraft Foods, one of about three dozen companies that purchase pistachios from Setton Farms, revealed salmonella strains The company notified the Food and drug Administration on March 24. Fortunately, no illnesses have been linked to this case, Dr. David Acheson, FDA's associate commissioner said.

 

The producer has already announced it is recalling 1 million pounds of pistachios that were sold in at least 31 states.

 

“We are not dealing with an outbreak here. This is a proactive move by the firm to recall contaminated product, and it is very distinctly not linked to an outbreak. This recall is being undertaken by sampling by part of the food industry,” Dr. Acheson said.

 

Following the announcement, Kroger, a grocery store chain with stores in 31 states, said it recalled Private Selection Shelled Pistachios from its retail stores. Private Selection Shelled Pistachios is sold in 10-ounce containers with a "sell by" date of DEC-13-09 and DEC-14-09. The packages carry the UPS Code 11110 73615.