Pistachios and chocolate sold in Quebec sparked a salmonella outbreak with 39 cases so far

Another day, another food recall in Quebec...

If you've bought pistachios or pistachio-based treats lately, you might want to double-check your pantry.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has issued a national health alert tied to an ongoing salmonella outbreak linked to pistachios and a popular chocolate product sold in Quebec. As of August 5, a total of 52 cases have been confirmed across Canada, including 39 in Quebec alone.

The contaminated products include both bulk and packaged pistachios, as well as the Dubai brand kunafa & pistachio milk chocolate, which was already under a recall notice earlier this week.

Here are the specific products affected:

• Habibi brand Pistachio Kernel
• Al Mokhtar Food Centre brand Pistachios
• Dubai brand kunafa & pistachio milk chocolate

Some bakery items may also contain the recalled pistachios, so PHAC advises asking your bakery about ingredient sources before purchasing pistachio-based goods.

The impacted products were sold in Quebec and Ontario, and more recalls could follow as the investigation continues.

What to do if you have these products

Even if the food looks and smells fine, PHAC urges people not to eat any of the recalled items. You should:

• Throw out or return the products to the place of purchase
• Avoid cooking for others if you feel sick or were recently diagnosed with salmonella
• Contact a health professional if you develop symptoms

What are the symptoms of salmonella?

Illness usually starts 6 to 72 hours after exposure. Symptoms can include:

• Fever and chills
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Stomach cramps
• Headaches

Most people recover on their own within a week, but complications can occur, especially in young children, elderly individuals, pregnant people, and those with weakened immune systems.

So far, 9 people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported. PHAC says the majority of infected individuals are women between the ages of 2 and 89.

You can find the full list of recalled products and batch numbers in PHAC's public health notice here.

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