Salmonella Risk Prompts Recall of Pistachio Baklava Products

Andalos brand baklava pastries containing pistachios have been recalled due to salmonella concerns. Canadian Food Inspection Agency photo

Baklava pastries are being recalled in Canada due to salmonella concerns, the latest product in a series of pistachio-containing goods to be pulled off the shelves in recent weeks.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued a recall notice for a variety of Andalos brand pastries distributed in Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick. They were also sold online.

The majority of the recalled items were sold at a Montreal bakery and were served to customers between June 25 and July 26.

The advisory contains a list of 14 products that are part of the recall issued on Aug. 7. Seven are Andalos brand baklava products and the remaining seven are unbranded Middle Eastern-style pastries.

“Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the location where they were purchased,” the agency said. “If you think you became sick from consuming a recalled product, contact your healthcare provider.”

The latest alert was prompted by a CFIA investigation into a foodborne illness outbreak linked to pistachios. Food containing the popular tree nuts have been the focus of multiple recalls over the last two weeks.

Recall warnings have also been issued for Dubai brand Pistachio & Knafeh Milk Chocolate bars and products from the brands Habibi and Al Mokhtar Food Centre.

Each of the recalls have been categorized as Class II, indicating a moderate risk that consuming the food could result in short-term or non-life-threatening health issues.

CFIA said it is continuing to conduct a food safety investigation into the possible salmonella contamination, which may lead to the recall of other products.

Nine people have been hospitalized and numerous cases of salmonella have been documented in Canada since the beginning of the outbreak.

The Public Health Agency of Canada said 52 cases of salmonella have been confirmed across four provinces, with the reported illnesses occurring from early March to mid-July.

Quebec has the highest number of cases at 39, followed by Ontario with nine, British Columbia with three, and Manitoba with one. The agency said the age range of those who have fallen ill spans from two to 89, and 75 percent of them are female.

The agency noted that its case count contains only laboratory-confirmed cases.

“The actual number of sick people in Canada is likely much higher. Many people have mild symptoms and don’t go to the doctor, so they aren’t tested,” the notice said. “Researchers estimate that for each case of Salmonella reported to public health, there are 26 more cases that are not reported.”

CFIA has also said it expects more salmonella cases linked to the outbreak to be reported in the coming months.

Salmonella Symptoms

Salmonella is an infection caused by salmonella bacteria that can result in a range of symptoms, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Not everyone exposed to salmonella will become ill, but those affected typically show symptoms within six to 72 hours, the agency’s website said. The most vulnerable groups include young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

Chills, diarrhea, fever, nausea, stomach cramps, sudden headaches, and vomiting are the most prevalent symptoms. These symptoms typically subside within four to seven days.

The majority of people recover independently, but there are instances where some become seriously ill and require hospital care, the agency said. Those who become critically ill could have long-term health issues or, in the most severe cases, could face death.

Ongoing health issues such as reactive arthritis, also known as Reiter’s syndrome, generally appear within four weeks of becoming ill.