December 3,2025
RED FM News Desk
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is introducing additional steps to control a salmonella outbreak tied to pistachios imported from Iran.
All federally licensed importers and manufacturers are being instructed to hold and test any pistachios brought into Canada before Sept. 27 for salmonella before the products can be sold.
“These measures will help protect Canadians from illness and give consumers more confidence in the safety of what they’re buying,” the agency said.
Iranian pistachio imports were banned on Sept. 27, and CFIA is now conducting targeted testing of products already in the country.
According to CFIA, Canada has confirmed 155 salmonella cases and issued 151 recall alerts.
Health Canada, CFIA, and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) warn that because pistachios have a long shelf life, contaminated products may still be in homes. They note that heating pistachios may not eliminate salmonella, so the nuts should be discarded or returned rather than cooked or served. Only Iranian pistachios are linked to the outbreak, but the agencies say it’s safest to avoid pistachios if the country of origin cannot be verified.
They also caution that some pistachio products lack clear ingredient origin labels, meaning they could contain Iranian pistachios.
“Food contaminated with Salmonella may look and smell normal but can still make you sick,” the advisory states. Children under five, pregnant people, adults over 60, and those with weakened immune systems face the highest risks. Still, most people recover from salmonella infection without medical treatment.
Symptoms may include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and sudden headache, according to PHAC. The illness usually resolves within a week but can sometimes lead to serious long-term complications or death.
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