CDC's urgent warning over contaminated condiment as deadly salmonella infection hospitalizes one
Health officials are raising the alarm over a condiment that may be contaminated with salmonella.
The CDC says it has detected the bacteria in Emek-branded pistachio cream, a nutty paste commonly used in store-bought macarons, cannoli and croissants.
Four people in two states have already been sickened in the outbreak, the agency said, and one person has been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
Testing showed each was sickened with the same strain of salmonella, which has been linked back to the paste commonly sold to restaurants and bakeries.
The agency is advising anyone who fell ill after eating the paste, which is also commonly used in Middle Eastern desserts, to contact local health authorities.
Most people sickened with salmonella suffer from a four to six-day illness that causes stomach cramps, diarrhea and abdominal pain.
But officials warn children under five years and adults over 65 years old are more at risk from the bacteria because they have a weaker immune system.
In serious cases, the bacteria can cause bloody stools and prolonged vomiting. People can die from salmonella via dehydration or if the bacteria enters the bloodstream, which can lead to sepsis — a life-threatening reaction.
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