Tue Mar 31, 2009 9:43am EDT

Calif. pistachio processor recalls pistachios

* FDA advises consumers avoid all pistachio products (Adds details, comments by FDA, background)

NEW YORK, March 31 (Reuters) – A California pistachio processor issued a nationwide voluntary recall on Tuesday of pistachios due to potential salmonella contamination.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the California Dept. of Public Health are investigating the matter. Thus far, several illnesses have been reported by consumers that may be associated with the pistachios, the FDA said.

The recalled nuts were shipped on or after Sept. 1, 2008 by Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella Inc.

Because the pistachios were used as ingredients in a variety of foods, the FDA said the recall is likely to impact many products. It also said the investigation at Setton was ongoing and may lead to additional pistachio product recalls.

Setton’s current recall involves about 1 million pounds of pistachios, according to the FDA. Setton said the recall is not related to the recent recalls associated with peanuts or peanut butter.

The FDA recommends that consumers avoid eating pistachio products until further information is available about the scope of affected products.

Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

Setton recalled specific lots of bulk roasted shelled pistachios and roasted unshelled pistachios in 2,000-pound, 1,800-pound, 1,700-pound and 1,000-pound bags sold to wholesale customers after learning that a small amount of shelled pistachios it sold in late 2008 tested positive for salmonella.

Setton is also recalling its Setton Farms brand roasted salted shelled pistachios in 9-ounce bags with a “Best Before” date between Jan. 6, 2010 and Jan. 19, 2010, distributed in seven Southeastern states.

Grocery chain Kroger Co (KR.N) recalled its Private Selection shelled pistachios on Friday due to potential salmonella contamination. That recall affects pistachios sold at Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer and a host of other stores owned by Kroger. [ID:nPnCL90405] (Reporting by Martinne Geller; Editing by Steve Orlofsky, editing by Dave Zimmerman)

© Thomson Reuters 2009 All rights reserved

Family of patient who died awarded
$11 million

Updated: Monday, 09 Mar 2009, 9:34 AM EDT
Published : Monday, 09 Mar 2009, 9:27 AM EDT

·         Chris Hurley

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (AP) – The family of a New Jersey man who died hours after having his wisdom teeth removed has won more than $11 million in damages.

A Middlesex County jury determined Friday that George Flugrad, a Perth Amboy oral surgeon, committed medical malpractice when he failed to get clearance from Francis Keller’s doctor to operate on the 21-year-old in 2005.

Keller told Flugrad he had a hereditary condition that caused his immune system to react to any trauma to his face or hands by swelling.

And that condition caused Keller’s throat, face and hands to swell and his airway to slowly close following the surgery.

The lawsuit named Flugrad and Keller’s family dentist, John Madaris of Woodbridge.

The two had blamed each other, but Madaris was cleared by the jury.

Copyright Associated Press, Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Posted By: Heather O’Bryan      2 hrs ago

PORTLAND (AP) — A 41-year-old Thomaston woman has settled her lawsuit over an illegal strip search at the Knox County Jail for $290,000.

Laurie Tardiff originally filed a lawsuit in 2002 after being strip-searched at the Knox County Jail following her arrest for tampering with a witness, a charge that was later dismissed. She then pulled out of the class-action suit and filed another complaint on her own.

According to court documents, the settlement in the new case was reached last month just days before a jury-waived trial on damages was to have begun.

Officials say the cost of the settlement will be covered by the county’s insurance.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)