2025-09-27
Imported pistachios and pistachio-containing products originating from the Islamic Republic of Iran are currently implicated in several illnesses and recalls in Canada due to contamination with Salmonella.
Your obligations as an importer of these products
As a licence holder under the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations, you are responsible for ensuring that the pistachios and pistachio-containing products you import are not contaminated with Salmonella.
Key changes to CFIA oversight of these products
Temporary Import Restriction for products from Islamic Republic of Iran
As of September 27, 2025 CFIA will refuse entry of Iranian pistachios and pistachio products that leave Iran after this date. This will be reflected in the CFIA's Automated Import Reference System (AIRS). All shipments of pistachios and pistachio products from Iran will be referred to CFIA's National Import Service Centre and CFIA will validate the date of export before a decision on import admissibility is made by CFIA. Shipments of pistachios and pistachio products that are exported (left Iran) before this date will be subject to hold and test requirements before the shipments are released to commerce.
Licence Condition for products from all other origins
The CFIA will implement a condition under the Safe Food for Canadians licence for all shipments of pistachios and pistachio products originating from all countries other than the Islamic Republic of Iran. The licence condition will have two elements:
- Importers will have to provide a proof of origin demonstrating non-Iranian origin of the shipment OR
- If a proof of origin is not provided, the shipment will be subject to the hold and test requirements.
Should you have any questions, please contact your local CFIA office.
These measures will remain in place while the CFIA analyzes information from its ongoing food safety investigations, surveillance and inspections of importers.
As required by the Safe Food for Canadians Act and Regulations, please maintain your preventive control plan and verify that your controls for managing Salmonella risks are effective. Please also verify that your foreign supplier(s) are taking measures to eliminate Salmonella from the pistachio products they are providing to you and keep complete and accurate traceability records that show who you received the food from and who it was sent to.
Notify the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and initiate a recall if you become aware that food products in distribution contain Salmonella.
Inspection and enforcement
The CFIA continues to conduct inspection activities to verify that preventive controls are effective and up-to-date, and that they are being implemented. If you do not meet all applicable requirements, you could be subject to control measures like seizure or recall of your products, and/or enforcement actions, such as administrative monetary penalties, licence suspension or cancellation, or prosecution.