At least 66 cases of illness in Quebec related to Canada-wide pistachio recall

The rising salmonella cases linked to pistachios has shoppers asking questions and experts warning the risks can be serious.

There are at least 66 cases of illness in Quebec related to a Canada-wide pistachio recall, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada.

In the past few months, several products have been taken off the shelves across the country over fears of salmonella contamination.

At Atwater Market in Montreal, some customers say they are now double-checking what they take home.

“I got pistachios yesterday and I want to make sure they’re OK,” said shopper Emmanuelle Lambert, adding she wasn’t previously aware of the Canada-wide recalls.

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Canada Research Chair in Agricultural Microbiology, Dr. Jennifer Ronholm, explains that four different types of salmonella are being investigated.

However, she points out that tracing contamination through a global food chain can be difficult.

“Because the food system is so complex, it can sometimes take a while to figure out how big the outbreak is and how far the contamination goes,” she said.

Food contaminated with the salmonella bacteria can cause salmonellosis, a foodborne illness, which can lead to serious infection, particularly in young children, pregnant women, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems, the Public Health Agency says.

It can cause short-term symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, in addition to long-term complications, including a severe form of arthritis.

Ronholm adds that the bacteria can survive well in dry places.

• READ MORE: Pistachio recall for six Montreal-area companies over Salmonella risk

“You can see these prolonged outbreaks because things just are contaminated and on the shelf for a very long time,” she said.

Anyone experiencing symptoms related to the consumption of this product is advised to consult a health care professional.