After receiving notice from a third-party supplier about positive test results for Salmonella bacteria, Barcelona Nut Co. of Baltimore is recalling five of its branded pistachio nut products.

The company reports distributing the implicated pistachio nuts through retail stores and direct deliveries in Washington D.C., Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York, California, Virginia, Ohio, New Jersey and Georgia. 

Although no confirmed illnesses have been reported in relation to the recalled Barcelona brand pistachio nuts, the Maryland company is taking precautionary measures in addition to the recall.

“Barcelona Nut Company’s processor and supplier, ARO, voluntarily initiated the recall after a separate and unaffiliated manufacturer performed a routine test which revealed salmonella,” according to the recall notice posted on the Food and Drug Administration’s website.

“Since Barcelona Nut Company received product from the same lot, it is necessary to take precautions. Barcelona Nut Company has ceased the production and distribution of this particular lot of roasted and salted in shell pistachios as the FDA and the companies involved continue their investigation.”

All of the recalled pistachios are sold in plastic film packages, some are red, white and blue and others are green. The recalled nuts in green 1-ounce packages can be identified by their UPC number of 030239510148 and expiration dates of 10/4/2019 and 10/10/2019.   

Consumers and retailers can identify the recalled Barcelona brand pistachios in the red, white and blue packages by looking for the following label information:

• 2.75 oz., UPC 030239130001 with expiration date 9/18/2019
• 2.25 oz., UPC 030239149034 with expiration date 9/17/2019 and 10/9/2019
• 1.50 oz., UPC 030239591154 with expiration date 10/9/2019 and 9/17/2019
• 1.25 oz., UPC 030239991060 with expiration date 10/8/2019

Advice for consumers
Food that is contaminated with Salmonella bacteria usually does not look, smell or taste spoiled. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection, but infants, children, seniors and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile, according to the CDC.

Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled products and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.

Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients need to be hospitalized. 

Older adults, children, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop a severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.

It is possible for some people to be infected with the bacteria and to not get sick or show any symptoms, but to still be able to spread the infection to others.

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