Fears that pistachio nuts contaminated with salmonella may be more widespread than originally suspected, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Monday cautioned consumers against eating any pistachio nuts until the agency learns more about the problem.

Last week, major food retailer Kroger recalled its line of Private Selection Shelled Pistachios sold in 31 states.

Also on Monday, pistachio processor Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella, based in Terra Bella, Calif., recalled bags ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 pounds each of roasted in-shell pistachios and specific lots of bulk roasted shelled pistachios. The company instituted the recall voluntarily upon learning that a small amount of its product tested positive for salmonella late last year. The total amount recalled is about one million pounds.

NO ILLNESS FOUND YET

No one has become ill from eating pistachios, the FDA reports. An FDA spokesman today urged consumers not to toss out any pistachios they may have, urging instead that consumers wait till the FDA learns more about the situation.

The pistachio recall is in no way related to the recall of peanut products earlier this year, the FDA said. Since Sept. 1, nearly 700 people have fallen ill and nine died from eating peanut products contaminated with salmonella, a problem traced to Peanut Corp. of America in Blakely, Ga.; the company is now defunct.

Photo by iStockphoto.com

RELATED STORIES FROM SPECIAL EVENTS

Pistachio Nuts Recalled for Salmonella Fears

Peanut Problems Don't Dog Caterers, But Client Worries Persist

FDA Confirms Jalapenos as Salmonella Source

Most Fresh Spinach Now Safe to Eat, FDA Says