North Carolina-based grocery food chain Harris Teeter announced over the weekend that it is recalling its pistachio nuts because of possible salmonella contamination from its supplier, California-based Setton Farms, the second largest processor of pistachios in the US.
 
Harris Teeter runs 176 stores in eight states and the District of Columbia, according to the company’s Web site.
 
The products involved in the recall include: Planters Light Salted Nutrition Mix, Planters Dry Roasted Pistachio, Planters Mixed Nuts and Raisins, Roasted Salted Pistachios, Ciao Bella Pistachio Gelato Single Serve, and Harris Teeter Natural Roasted and Salted Pistachios.
 
“Currently, Setton Farms is recalling pistachios produced at their facility after September 1, 2008,” a post on Harris Teeter’s Web site said.
 
Customers who have Harris Teeter Natural Roasted & Salted Pistachios can return them to Harris Teeter for a full refund, the company said. Anyone having questions about the recalled products can call 800-445-8339.
 
Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause diarrhea in humans and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most persons recover without treatment. However, in some persons, the diarrhea may be so severe that they need to be hospitalized. These patients need antibiotic treatment in order to prevent the infection from spreading to the blood stream, and then to other body sites, a condition that could turn fatal.

Those who are most exposed to salmonella infection are the elderly, infants and those whose immune systems are weakened or those who have a severe illness.

Symptoms of salmonella infections include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.