Washington, D.C., USA- January 13, 2020: FDA Sign at its headquarters in Washington DC. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or USFDA) is a federal agency of the USA.
Washington, D.C. — Federal health authorities have wrapped up their investigation into a multi-state Salmonella outbreak associated with imported pistachio cream, having identified four cases across two states. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced that the outbreak is over, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has concluded its investigation.
The outbreak was linked to pistachio cream products produced in Turkey by Emek Dogal Saglik Urunleri Iklim Gida Insaat San Tic Ltd Sti, which were distributed to retail stores, restaurants, and wholesale distributors in the U.S.
Products Recalled
As part of the investigation, World Market, LLC issued a recall on July 14, 2025, for Emek Spread Pistachio Cacao Cream with Kadayif, packaged in 9.7-ounce glass jars with Batch No: 250401, UPC: 8 69652 10130 1, and a best-before date of April 1, 2027. This recall was initiated after positive Salmonella test results were found in product samples collected by state health agencies.
Additionally, on May 13, 2025, the FDA recommended against consuming 5-kilogram white tubs of Emek Pistachio Cream that had a use-by date of October 19, 2026, and production code PNO: 241019.
Although these products are no longer on the market, the FDA is advising consumers to check their homes due to the long shelf life of these items. Consumers are strongly urged not to consume or serve any recalled products and to dispose of them immediately.
Public Health Risk
Salmonella infections usually manifest symptoms between 12 to 72 hours after ingestion. Symptoms may include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, typically lasting from four to seven days. Infants, young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems face a higher risk of severe illness.
As reported by the CDC and FDA, the outbreak involved four confirmed cases of Salmonella Oranienburg, all associated with pistachio cream. In June 2025, the Minnesota Department of Health detected two Salmonella-positive samples from Emek Pistachio Cream that were genetically linked to patient samples through whole genome sequencing (WGS).
Further analysis of retail samples uncovered Salmonella contamination in additional Emek products, including the Emek Spread Pistachio Cacao Cream with Kadayif. However, WGS results indicated that the strains found in these later samples did not correspond with the outbreak strain. Products that tested positive but were not associated with illnesses were either recalled or barred from entering the U.S. market.
Regulatory Actions
The FDA has placed Emek Dogal Saglik Urunleri on Import Alert 99-43, enabling U.S. authorities to detain future shipments without a physical examination. Ongoing follow-up activities are being conducted with the manufacturer and importers to resolve food safety issues.
The FDA recommends that consumers, retailers, and restaurants adhere to proper cleaning and sanitation protocols for any surfaces or containers that may have been in contact with these products to avoid cross-contamination.
Consumers who experience symptoms of Salmonella infection are urged to reach out to their healthcare provider.
