Viral Ingredient Sickens 3 In MN Salmonella Outbreak

MINNESOTA — Three people have fallen ill in Minnesota after eating pistachio cream associated with a Salmonella outbreak, according to authorities.

The Emek-brand pistachio cream is a shelf-stable product sold online for wholesale distributors, restaurants and food service locations that may be packaged in a 5-kilogram white tub, authorities said. It has a use-by date of Oct. 19, 2026, and a production code of PNO: 241019, according to authorities, who said businesses that bought cream with that date and code should not serve, sell or distribute it.

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration was notified by the Minnesota Department of Health about a cluster of Salmonella illnesses and two Salmonella-positive samples of the cream, according to authorities.

Three of the four people who had fallen ill as of Friday ate at the same restaurant, authorities said, adding three of the cases were based in Minnesota while one was based in New Jersey. The last illness onset was May 19.

“Illness usually occurs within 12 to 72 hours after eating food that is contaminated with Salmonella, and the symptoms usually last four to seven days,” according to the food and drug administration. “Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Children younger than five, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe infections.”

Pistachio cream is a key ingredient in the viral Dubai chocolate bar, frequently seen on social media in recent months. Serious Eats describes the cream as “a sweet, green goo made from pistachios, sugar, and oils.”

The Emek-brand cream was made in Turkey by Emek Dogal Saglik Urunleri Iklim Gida Insaat San Tic Ltd Sti, according to the food and drug administration, which is working to determine where the affected cream was sold in the U.S. and if other lots or products were impacted.