Calif. nut firm: Kraft found salmonella in 2008

FRESNO —  A company at the heart of a nationwide pistachio recall said Friday that Kraft Foods Inc. detected salmonella in its pistachios more than six months ago but did not inform them until last week.

A Kraft spokeswoman said the company did not know until recently that pistachios were the cause of salmonella contamination in a trail mix and promptly informed their nut supplier, Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella Inc.

Lee Cohen, a production manager for the California firm’s sister plant, said Setton’s pistachios tested positive for the bacteria in a Kraft snack mix in September. The tainted nuts were found in a blend of fruits and nuts that also contained salmonella-tainted cherries, he said.

Setton recalled more than 2 million pounds of its roasted nuts Monday after salmonella was found in some March 20.