Company recalls products containing pistachio nuts due to possible health risks

Kraft Foods has announced a voluntary recall in the US of Planters and Back to Nature products containing pistachio nuts that have the potential to be contaminated with the Salmonella organism.

The company says this possible contamination is not connected with the recent outbreak associated with peanuts.

It is recalling all products containing pistachios supplied by Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella after September 1, 2008.

Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.