Contaminated chocolate from Dubai has been pulled off shelves in Canada due to salmonella concerns
Canada Issues Recall on Dubai Brand Pistachio & Knafeh Milk Chocolate Due to Potential Salmonella Contamination
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has announced a recall of the Dubai brand Pistachio & Knafeh Milk Chocolate (145g, UPC 6 11834 51237 1, code 225.174) due to potential Salmonella contamination.
The affected product was sold online and in Quebec, with distribution also extending to Ontario and New Brunswick. The recall was triggered by positive test results for Salmonella detected in the chocolate bars and related pistachio products.
The outbreak has caused at least 52 confirmed Salmonella cases across four provinces: Quebec (39), Ontario (9), British Columbia (3), and Manitoba (1), with 9 hospitalizations but no deaths reported so far. The outbreak strains have been identified as Salmonella Havana and Salmonella Mbandaka.
Health officials are conducting an ongoing food safety investigation to identify all sources and to verify removal of the recalled products from shelves. The investigation may result in an expanded recall of other pistachio-containing items, including baked goods sold in grocery stores, bakeries, and cafes.
Consumers are advised to discard or return the recalled Dubai chocolate bars and avoid other pistachio products recalled under this outbreak. Symptoms of Salmonella infection include fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps, and certain groups like young children, pregnant women, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals are at greater risk for severe illness.
The recall affects the 145-gram size of the Dubai brand Pistachio & Knafeh Milk Chocolate, specifically the mentioned UPC and code. People who believe they became sick from consuming a recalled product should contact a health-care provider.
The CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of additional products. Canadians should discard the recalled product or return it to the place of purchase. It's important to note that no reported illnesses have been associated with the consumption of this product.
This recall reflects the broader Salmonella outbreak stemming from contaminated pistachio products circulating since March 2025. The recall is being conducted by Distribution Bonbons JJ Candy. The CFIA is verifying that the industry is removing the recalled product from store shelves to ensure the safety of Canadian consumers.
- The ongoing investigation into the food safety outbreak may expand to include other pistachio-containing items in health-and-wellness outlets such as grocery stores, bakeries, and cafes, due to the Salmonella contamination.
- Consumers must be mindful of their dietary choices and avoid food-and-drink products made with pistachios while the investigation is ongoing, as certain medical-conditions such as pregnancy, old age, and compromised immunity put individuals at greater risk for severe illness from Salmonella infection.
- While the recall affects only the Dubai brand Pistachio & Knafeh Milk Chocolate in the 145-gram size, it raises questions about the importance of science and food safety regulations for maintaining our overall health and lifestyle, particularly in handling and processing food products.
