The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), public health and regulatory officials, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Oranienburg infections in two states linked to Emek branded pistachio cream.
On Monday, the CDC issued a food safety alert warning consumers not to eat—and businesses not to sell or serve—the nut butter spread used in desserts and other dishes. As of June 13, four people in two states, three in Minnesota and one in New Jersey, have gotten sick. One person has been hospitalized and no deaths are reported.
State and local public health officials have determined all four reported eating pistachio cream in the week leading up to when they got sick, with three of the four eating at the same restaurant. (Officials have not disclosed the name of that restaurant.)
The pistachio cream is a shelf-stable nut butter cream manufactured in Turkey by a company whose full name is listed as Emek Dogal Saglik Urunleri Iklim Gida Insaat San Tic Ltd Sti. The product was imported into the United States, where it sold online for wholesale distributors, restaurants, and food service locations nationwide.
What do I need to know about the outbreak?
The illnesses started on dates ranging from March 10, 2025, to May 19, 2025.
The recalled product is as follows:
- Product Name: Emek brand pistachio cream
- Use-by date: October 19, 2026
- Package: May be packaged in an 11-pound white tub
- Production code (PNO): 241019
The investigation is ongoing and the FDA is working to determine if additional lots or products are affected.
According to the CDC, the total number of people made sick is likely much higher than the number reported, and this outbreak may not be limited to the states with current known illnesses.
This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.
What is Salmonella and what are the symptoms?
Salmonella is a bacterium that can make you very sick if ingested.
Most infected people experience diarrhea, stomachaches, and fever. Those at greatest risk are children under 5 years of age, adults ages 65 and over, and those with compromised immune systems.
According to the CDC, symptoms usually begin 6 hours to 6 days after infection and last 4 to 7 days. However, as we mentioned above, some people don’t show or experience symptoms for weeks.
What should I do if I have the product?
Do not eat or serve Emek pistachio cream.
If you do have the product, wash and sanitize items and surfaces that may have come in contact with the it, following the FDA’s safe handling and cleaning recommendations to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
You can read more information on the CDC’s Salmonella page.
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