Pistachio recall widened

(CNN) -- A California company has widened its recall of pistachios to raw nuts and all roasted nuts produced in 2008 after health inspectors raised concerns of salmonella contamination, the Food and Drug Administration said Monday.

Consumers already had been warned to avoid roasted pistachios processed at the Setton Farms plant in Terra Bella, California. But the FDA said subsequent inspection "indicates the presence of salmonella in critical areas of the facility and the potential for cross-contamination between raw and roasted products."

"After this information was shared with Setton, the firm decided to expand its recall," an FDA statement said. The agency urged consumers to avoid foods containing pistachios until they can determine whether the products contain nuts recalled by Setton Farms.

Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. The FDA has said the potential pistachio problems were unrelated to a widespread recall of peanut products earlier this year.

Setton Farms recalled roasted pistachio products late last month after routine tests by Kraft Foods -- one of about three dozen companies that purchase pistachios from the company -- found salmonella strains, the FDA said.

All About Food Safety • Food and Drug Administration