Pistachios under investigation for salmonella

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa Months after a nationwide salmonella scare forced Peanut Corporation of America out of business, another scare has emerged but this time, pistachios are the problem.

Hy-Vee announced last week that it would voluntarily recall 16 oz. packages and 1.5 oz. tubes of store-brand pistachios. The recall is related to a nationwide recall of pistachios by Terra Bella, Calif.-based Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella, which began late last month amid concerns over possible salmonella contamination.

The Hy-Vee pistachios are sold in stores in Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and Minnesota, though there have been no cases of illness.

A number of other chains, including Stop & Shop and online grocer Freshdirect, have announced recalls as well.

On March 30, Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella announced a recall of pistachios distributed in tote bags of 2,000 lbs., 1,800 lbs., 1,700 lbs. and 1,000 lbs. to North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky.