Public health notice: Outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to various brands of pistachios and pistachio-containing products

August 8, 2025: Update

OTTAWA, ON, Aug. 8, 2025 /CNW/ -

This outbreak investigation is ongoing. The public health notice will be updated as the investigation evolves.

At a glance

Do not consume, use, sell, serve or distribute recalled pistachios and pistachio-containing products. For details on recalled product brand names,  lot codes and distribution, please consult the Recalls and Safety Alerts website.

Outbreak details
Illnesses	52
Provinces and territories with illnesses (number of illnesses)	British Columbia (3) Manitoba (1) Ontario (9) Quebec (39)
Hospitalizations	10
Deaths	0
Gender	75% female
Age range	2 to 89
Food Recall	Yes Habibi band Pistachio Kernel recalled due to Salmonella Al Mokhtar Food Centre brand Pistachio recalled due to Salmonella Dubai brand Pistachio & Knafeh Milk Chocolate recalled due to Salmonella Andalos brand pastry products recalled due to Salmonella
Investigation status	Active

Recalled food

Recall warnings have been issued for various brands of pistachios and pistachio-containing products from brands:

• Habibi
• Al Mokhtar Food Centre
• Dubai
• Andalos

These products were distributed to:

• Ontario
• Quebec
• New Brunswick

Dubai brand pistachio & knafeh milk chocolate bars and Andalos brand pastry products were also available to purchase online.

For more information on the recalled products, including all product names, descriptions, lot codes and specific distribution please consult the CFIA's notices on the Recalls and Safety Alerts website.

Habibi brand Pistachio Kernel recalled due to Salmonella

Al Mokhtar Food Centre brand Pistachio recalled due to Salmonella

Dubai brand Pistachio & Knafeh Milk Chocolate recalled due to Salmonella

Andalos brand pastry products recalled due to Salmonella

How to protect your health

Salmonellosis is a foodborne bacterial illness that can affect anyone exposed to a contaminated food product.

People who are infected with Salmonella bacteria can spread Salmonella to other people several days to several weeks after they have become infected, even if they don't have symptoms.

The following advice applies to individuals, as well as retailers, distributors and food service establishments such as grocery stores, pharmacies, bakeries and cafes across Canada:

• Check to see if you have the recalled products in your home or establishment by looking for the specific product name and size, UPC and codes in the recall alerts.
• Do not consume, serve, use, sell or distribute recalled products or any product made with them.
• Throw out or return recalled products to the location where they were purchased. Consumers or establishments who are unsure if they have purchased the recalled products are advised to contact their retailer or supplier where the products were purchased.
• Do not cook food for other people if you've been diagnosed with a Salmonella infection or any other gastrointestinal illness.
• Contact your health care provider if you think you're experiencing symptoms of Salmonella.

Most people who become ill from a Salmonella infection will recover fully after a few days without treatment, but it can also cause severe illness and hospitalization.

Those at higher risk for serious illness include:

• older adults
• young children
• people who are pregnant
• people with weakened immune systems

Symptoms

Salmonellosis has a wide range of symptoms. You may not get sick at all. However, if you do get sick, symptoms usually start within 6 to 72 hours after exposure.

You may experience:

• chills
• a fever
• nausea
• diarrhea
• vomiting
• stomach cramps
• a sudden headache

Most symptoms end within 4 to 7 days.

While most people recover completely on their own, some people may have a more serious illness that:

• requires hospital care
• may lead to long-lasting health effects or death

Salmonellosis (Salmonella)

Food safety for vulnerable populations

Investigation summary

There are 52 laboratory-confirmed cases of Salmonella Havana and Salmonella Mbandaka illness linked to this outbreak in:

• British Columbia (3)
• Manitoba (1)
• Ontario (9)
• Quebec (39)

People became sick between early March and mid-July 2025. Of the cases reported, ten people have been hospitalized and there have been no deaths. People who became sick are between 2 and 89 years of age. The majority of sick individuals are female (75%).

Many people who became sick reported eating pistachios, and products containing pistachios, such as Dubai-style chocolate and pastry products. The outbreak strains of Salmonella that made people sick were found in samples of the recalled Habibi brand pistachios. The investigation is ongoing and it is possible that additional sources may be identified.

More recent illnesses may continue to be reported because there is a period between when a person becomes sick and when the illness is reported to public health officials. It can take more than a month from the time someone gets sick, sees a doctor, gets tested, and has their results confirmed. For this outbreak, the illness reporting period is between 15 and 55 days after illness onset. 

This notice only includes 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. Researchers estimate that for each case of Salmonella reported to public health, there are 26 more cases that are not reported.

This outbreak may not be limited to the provinces with known illnesses. The recalled products were distributed to:

• Ontario
• Quebec
• New Brunswick

Dubai brand pistachio & knafeh milk chocolate bars and Andalos brand pastry products  were also available to purchase online.

For more details on distribution please consult CFIA's notices on the Recalls and Safety Alerts website.

Related links

• Habibi brand Pistachio Kernel recalled due to Salmonella
• Al Mokhtar Food Centre brand Pistachio recalled due to Salmonella
• Dubai brand Pistachio & Knafeh Milk Chocolate recalled due to Salmonella
• Andalos brand pastry products recalled due to Salmonella
• Risks of salmonellosis (Salmonella)
• Safe food handling practices
• Email subscription service for Public Health Notices
• Recall subscription service

SOURCE Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)

Contact us: Public Health Agency of Canada, Media Relations, Telephone: [phone], Email: [email protected]; Public inquiries, Telephone: [phone] (toll-free), Email: [email protected]