Salmonella Contamination Leads to Pistachio Nut Butter Recall by Botticelli Foods

Botticelli Foods is recalling its bettergoods brand Pistachio Nut Butter. This action follows routine testing that identified salmonella in three jars. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Walmart is the exclusive distributor of the affected product.

There have been numerous public health alerts and recalls this year. Issues include potential damage, foodborne illness, contamination, and undeclared food allergens. For instance, over 360,000 pounds of turkey bacon were recently recalled due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination, according to the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.

Food sensitivities and allergies impact millions in the U.S. annually. The FDA identifies nine major food allergens: eggs, milk, fish, wheat, soybeans, crustacean shellfish, sesame, tree nuts, and peanuts.

Safety is a top priority. When notified of recalls, we promptly remove affected products from our stores and block sales at registers and online. We work with our supplier, and customers should stop using this product.

This was Walmart’s statement to Newsweek regarding the recall.

What to Know

The FDA alert states that the recalled product was distributed to 19 states. These include Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Washington, and Wyoming.

The product is offered in a 6.7-ounce glass jar, with the lot code number LB028ACP04 and UPC 194346207961. The expiration date is January 28, 2027. The alert specifies that no other lots are part of this recall. As of the recent report, no illnesses have been reported, according to the FDA.

Customers should return the recalled nut butter for a refund and avoid consuming it. For questions, contact Botticelli Foods via email at [email protected] or call 631-543-7000, Ext. 203, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET.

What Is Salmonella?

Salmonella comprises bacteria that cause salmonellosis infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that infection occurs after ingesting the bacteria, often through contaminated food. Salmonella can also spread through tainted water or contact with infected animals or environments.

Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. The CDC reports that salmonella causes about 1.35 million infections annually in the U.S. The FDA’s recall cited Florida’s routine testing of nut butter, which found salmonella in three jars.

While anyone can contract salmonella, those at higher risk for serious illness include young children under 5, adults 65 and older, international travelers, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

Map Shows States Affected

Below is a map highlighting the states impacted by the recent recall:

The cyclospora outbreak is another challenge for the U.S., linked to contaminated produce. Cyclospora is a parasite causing cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness. Consuming contaminated food triggers symptoms like diarrhea and dehydration. Thousands have been affected, including two deaths in Michigan. These cases involved people with significant underlying health conditions, potentially worsened by the infection and dehydration, as per the state Department of Health and Human Services.