WASHINGTON, March 10 (UPI) -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Wonderful Pistachios announced a recall after at least 11 people in nine states were sickened by pistachio-linked salmonella.
The CDC said two people were hospitalized due to salmonella montevideo in an outbreak from Dec. 12 through Feb. 9. Those sickened range in age from 9 to 69. No deaths have been reported.
The Lost Hills, Calif.-based nut company issued a voluntary recall of a limited number of flavors and sizes of in-shell and shelled pistachios. The nuts were sold under the brand names Wonderful, Paramount Farms and Trader Joe's. They were sold nationwide and in Canada, the CDC said.
"Wonderful Pistachios takes food safety matters very seriously and is working closely with health officials to identify the source of the problem," the company said. "In an effort to further enhance our food safety program and ensure the health and well being of our consumers, we have, effective immediately, proactively increased our sampling frequencies and lot size testing."
The CDC warned consumers who consumed the nuts after Feb. 11 are still at risk of becoming ill. It takes two to four weeks for symptoms to appear in some cases.
Two people were sickened in each Arizona and Washington, while at least one person was reported ill in Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota and Virginia.
Salmonella symptoms include fever, diarrhea -- which may be bloody -- nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare cases, infections cause arterial infections, such as infected aneurysms, endocarditis and arthritis.
