Kroger Expands Recall of Shelled Pistachios Due to Possible Health Risk

CINCINNATI, Ohio, March 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Kroger Co. said today it is adding other "Sell by" dates to its recall on Friday of Private Selection(R) Shelled Pistachios sold in its family of stores because the pistachios were supplied by Setton Farms and may be contaminated with Salmonella.

Stores under the following names in the 31 states where Kroger operates are included in this expanded recall: Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Fry's, King Soopers, Smith's, Dillons, QFC, City Market, Foods Co., Jay C, Scott's, Owen's, Baker's, Gerbes, Hilander and Pay Less.

Food 4 Less stores the company operates did not receive any of the pistachios being recalled.

There have been no confirmed illnesses reported in connection with this product.

Item Description: Kroger is recalling the following shelled pistachios: -- Private Selection Shelled Pistachios sold in 10-ounce containers with a "Sell by" date of JAN-14-10, FEB-10-10, FEB-11-10 and MAR-23-10 with this UPC Code: 11110 73615.

This is in addition to the following item Kroger recalled on Friday, March 27:

-- Private Selection Shelled Pistachios sold in 10-ounce containers with a "Sell by" date of DEC-13-09 and DEC-14-09 with this UPC Code: 11110 73615.

The items were sold in The Kroger Co.'s family of stores in the following states: Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming.

Customers who have recently purchased the pistachios should not consume this product and should return it to a store for a full refund or replacement.

Kroger is adding these "Sell by" dates because Setton Farms expanded its recall of pistachios. The FDA has indicated that Setton Farms is the focus of its investigation into pistachios that may be contaminated with Salmonella. For more information, please visit the FDA's website at http://www.fda.gov/.

Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, particularly in young children, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and/or abdominal pain. For more information, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website at http://www.cdc.gov/.

Consumers who have questions about this pistachio recall may contact Kroger toll-free at [phone]. For more information, please visit http://www.kroger.com/recalls.

The Kroger Co.

CONTACT: Media: Denise Osterhues, [phone], Investors: Carin
Fike, [phone], both of The Kroger Co.

Web Site: http://www.kroger.com/