In the news

An outbreak of serious illness associated with eating foraged wild mushrooms has been reported. California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is urging people to avoid foraging for and eating wild mushrooms while the risk of amatoxin poisoning is high. As of early January 2026, three people have died, and 35 were sickened, in California from wild mushroom poisoning, primarily linked to the toxic “death cap” (Amanita phalloides) mushroom. The Amatoxin results in severe liver damage. The death cap mushroom can easily be mistaken for edible, safe mushrooms. Consuming these mushrooms can lead to severe poisoning. Cooking, boiling, drying, or freezing these mushrooms does NOT make them safe to eat. @ https://www.foodpoisonjournal.com/food-poisoning-information/death-cap-mushrooms-sicken-35-and-kill-3/

In Canada, the Salmonella outbreak linked to Iranian pistachios continues. In Quebec, MAPAQ reported that consumers should not consume pistachios sold by the company Grand Marché Col-Fax Inc. MAPAQ also warned consumers not to consume. WALNUT AND PISTACHIO BREAD, Pistachio Chocolate Pastry, and PISTACHIO CROISSANT. Sold between October 29 and November 10, 2025, in several establishments in the province of Quebec and online. Other products include various pastries containing pistachios prepared and sold by the company Pâtisserie Yasmin Alcham, Danish pastries containing pistachios prepared and sold by the company Boulangerie Pâtisserie La Belle-Bleue Inc., pistachios sold by the company Kabul Market, pistachios sold by the company Cabananut, three-chocolate and pistachio biscuit sold by the company Le Cartet, pistachios sold by the company Fruiterie Milano. In 2026, warnings were issued for NuttyHero, Cashew Pistachio Milk – Saffron & Cardamom, Heavenly Mix, Natures Trail Mix, and ice cream, gelato, and pistachio cookies prepared and sold by Sweemory Inc.

The FDA reported that on January 5, 2026, Sam Dry Fruits and Nuts Enterprises recalled pistachio meat (30 lbs) due to Salmonella. The lot expires in August 2027; a total of 32,610 lbs, or 1,087 cases, are affected. The recall, classified as Class I, was initiated on December 8, 2025, and classified on January 5, 2026. The issue was discovered through routine testing, prompting the voluntary recall. @ https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/ires/?Event=98120

The FDA reported that Primavera Nueva Inc. is voluntarily recalling certain lots of its 4-count tamales due to the potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The product was distributed by Primavera Nueva Inc. in California and Nevada to retail stores. The following 4-count tamales, produced between October 10, 2024 and October 10, 2025 are included: Roasted Green Chile & Jack Cheese, Black Bean Bonanza & Jack Cheese, Butternut Squash w/ Roasted Green Chiles & Cheese, BBQ Chipotle Bean & White Cheddar, Mushroom Spinach & Salsa with Two Cheeses, Roasted Green Chile, Black Bean Bonanza, Butternut Squash w/ Roasted Green Chiles, Mushroom Spinach & Salsa, and Roasted Pumpkin & White Cheddar. No illnesses have been reported to date. The products were made with a frozen ingredient labeled “Not Ready to Eat. Must Be Thoroughly Cooked Before Eating.” During an FDA inspection on October 10, 2025, the agency determined that earlier production records did not consistently verify internal cooking temperatures needed to control potential biological hazards, including Listeria monocytogenes. Primavera Nueva has fully corrected the issue—enhanced cooking-temperature monitoring and verification have been in place since October 11, 2025.@ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/primavera-nueva-inc-issues-voluntary-recall-select-4-count-tamales-because-possible-health-risk-0