Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Outbreaks & Recalls,Salmonella on June 15, 2025
Pistachio cream is a key ingredient in the viral Dubai chocolate confection likely filling your newsfeed. But one brand may be contaminated with deadly bacteria. Salmonella.
Before you pull out your silicone mats and mixing bowl, follow along to find out more about the Salmonella outbreak linked to pistachio cream and what products to avoid.
Minnesota Department of Health began investigating a cluster of Salmonella illnesses last month. Four people fell sick with the same strain of Salmonella Oranienburg bacteria.
Patient interviews revealed that prior to becoming sick, all four reported eating pistachio cream. Three patients even reported eating pistachio cream at the same restaurant.
Samples obtained from the imported pistachio cream product tested positive for Salmonella bacteria. After additional analysis, whole genome sequencing (WGS) of these samples revealed that imported Emerk-brand Pistachio Cream products were contaminated with the same bacteria making outbreak patients sick.
So far, there have been four illnesses and one hospitalization associated with this outbreak in the states of Minnesota and New Jersey. No deaths have been reported.
According to a U.S. Food and Drug (FDA) investigation update on June 13, 2025, the last recorded illness onset was May 19, 2025.
The implicated Emek-brand Pistachio Cream was manufactured by Emek Dogal Saglik Urunleri Iklim Gida Insaat San Tic Ltd Sti and imported from Turkey. This product was sold to wholesale distributors, restaurants, and food service locations in the United States.
The indicated product bears a use-by date of October 19, 2026 (TETT: 19/10/26) and a production code of PNO: 241019.
The FDA advises retailers, restaurants, and distributors to “not serve, sell, or further distribute product.”
An ongoing investigating continues in order to determine where the affected Emek-brand Pistachio Cream was sold in the United States and if other lots or products made by the manufacturer may be impacted.
While affected products are likely packaged in 5-kilogram tubs and likely used in a food service environment, the FDA is unsure if other products may also be involved.
Salmonella Oranienburg is a serotype of bacteria responsible for the intestinal illness, salmonellosis.
Most salmonellosis infections are caused by consuming contaminated food. This type of illness involves uncomfortable digestive symptoms and may develop into serious, potentially life-threatening complications.
Common salmonellosis symptoms include:
Most people begin feeling sick in as little as six hours after consuming food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. Though it isn’t not uncommon for symptoms to begin even as long as six days after exposure. In some cases, illness onset could be much longer.
Severity and length of illness often varies from person to person. Most people experience a mild illness that passes quickly. Others may experience severe illness lasting weeks or even months after initial symptoms.
In most cases, however, sickened people feel better within a week (four to seven days).
Certain groups of people have conditions or susceptibilities that make them more likely to become sick if exposed, and experience more severe symptoms if infected.
Those more vulnerable to Salmonella infection include:
Those more likely to experience sever symptoms include:
While most people do not need medical intervention and are not prescribed antibiotic treatment, those in the higher risk group are more likely to receive treatment.
In some cases, complications may arise from infection.
Most of the time Salmonella bacteria are limited to the intestinal tract. However, in some cases, the bacteria can breach the intestinal wall and enter the bloodstream capillaries and veins found there. When this happens, bacteria may infect the urinary tract, blood, bones, joints, and even the nervous system.
Common Salmonella complications include reactive arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and bacteremia that can affect other parts of the body.
No recall has been officially published by the FDA, but an announcement is likely coming soon.
For now, recalled product includes:
Emek-brand Pistachio Cream
Use-by: 19/10/26
Production code: PNO: 241019
A product of Turkey
If you may have been exposed to Salmonella from pistachio cream products, there are a few things that you can do to help your situation.
If you begin having symptoms consistent with a Salmonella infection, seek medical attention right away. If you are not sick enough to need medical care, it is still a good idea to report your illness to your local health department.
This outbreak investigation involving Salmonella from pistachio cream is ongoing. Outbreak investigators can use additional information to either narrow or broaden the food involved in this outbreak. Your data can help investigators determine if additional products are involved.
If you have become seriously ill due to Salmonella in pistachio cream, it is a good idea to get advice from an experienced Salmonella Lawyer. A Salmonella lawyer can help answer questions you may have, and even some that you have not thought about. They can help you get the resources you need to recover and help hold accountable those responsible for your illness.
A skilled and dedicated Food Poisoning law firm, like The Lange Law Firm, PLLC understands your situation and can help you through this difficult process.
If you have been impacted by this outbreak of Salmonella from pistachio cream and wish to make a legal claim, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has a Salmonella lawyer that can help.
The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has successfully represented cases just like yours and won millions of dollars in food poisoning and products liabilities lawsuits.
Reach out by calling (833) 330-3663 or send us an email for a free, no obligation consultation.
Don’t wait. Call today to get the justice you deserve!
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)