A persistent salmonella outbreak in Canada, associated with pistachio products, continues to affect individuals, with 189 reported cases over the past year. First identified in March 2025, the outbreak has primarily impacted residents of Ontario and Quebec, raising alarms among health officials.
Prolonged Outbreak Due to Complex Supply Chain
According to April Hexemer, the director of the outbreak management division at the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), several factors contribute to the longevity of this outbreak. The extended shelf life of pistachios, combined with their widespread distribution and a convoluted supply chain, makes containment challenging.
“It is an unusual outbreak in many ways,” Hexemer remarked. “We don’t generally see outbreaks last this long, especially after the source has been identified.”
In December, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) revealed that the implicated pistachios were imported from Iran, although it did not specify whether they were associated with a particular crop. Following the outbreak’s investigation, the CFIA imposed a temporary restriction on imports of Iranian pistachios and products containing them as a precautionary measure.
The Challenges of Identification and Recall
Hexemer explained that the intricate nature of the pistachio supply chain complicates efforts to trace the source of illnesses. These nuts are frequently used in a variety of products, from pastries to chocolate bars, and are not marketed under a single brand.
“Pistachios are very popular now and they are being used in a lot of products,” she noted. “We are investigating the newer illnesses to identify what was the cause of their illness. We don’t know and I don’t want to speculate about that until we do those thorough investigations.”
Despite the ongoing investigation, health officials are urging consumers to refrain from consuming any recalled products.
Hospitalisations and Ongoing Investigations
Since the last update on March 13, PHAC has confirmed 11 additional laboratory cases of salmonella. It is estimated that for every confirmed case, there are approximately 26 unreported instances. To date, 26 individuals have been hospitalised, though there have been no reported fatalities linked to this outbreak.
As the CFIA continues its food safety investigation, which began with the Habibi brand of pistachio kernels on July 24, the agency has issued warnings to retail and food service businesses. They have urged these establishments to verify that their stock does not include any potentially contaminated products from Iran. If there is any uncertainty regarding the origin or food safety controls, businesses are advised to dispose of or return the products.
Precautionary Measures for Consumers
Health officials have cautioned that relying solely on dry heat processes like roasting may not effectively eliminate salmonella, as the bacteria can survive in high-fat, low-moisture foods such as pistachios. Since the outbreak began, hundreds of pistachio products have been recalled, with the CFIA consolidating its list due to the volume of affected items.
From July to November, there were approximately 46 recall warnings and 22 notifications. Between November 12 and March 16, a staggering 344 separate products were recalled, reflecting the significant impact of this ongoing health crisis.
While the outbreak persists, Hexemer reassures the public that it will eventually conclude. “In my experience, all outbreaks do come to an end, and I’ve been doing this for a long time, so there will be an end,” she stated. “We just are working to collect that evidence to help us to know what is the next thing that we need to do to bring this to an end.”
Why it Matters
The implications of this salmonella outbreak extend beyond individual health concerns; they highlight critical vulnerabilities within food safety protocols and the complexities of global food supply chains. As consumers increasingly seek transparency regarding the origins of their food, this situation underscores the need for rigorous safety measures and prompt responses to health threats. Ensuring public health and consumer safety must remain a priority for both government agencies and food producers to prevent similar incidents in the future.
