,"Canada has imposed strict new import conditions on pistachios and pistachio products following a series of Salmonella-related recalls linked to products originating from the Islamic Republic of Iran. Between July and December 2025, multiple Iranian pistachio shipments were recalled nationwide, prompting a national outbreak investigation led by the Public Health Agency of Canada. Several laboratory-confirmed Salmonella infections have been reported, with all cases tracing back to pistachios from Iran or products manufactured using Iranian pistachios.
In response to the ongoing public-health risk, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced that, effective 2 December 2025, all pistachios and pistachio products originating from Iran will be refused entry into Canada until further notice. The refusal applies across all relevant HS-OGD codes, including in-shell pistachios, shelled pistachios, pistachio flour, meal and powder, and pistachio-based pastes, butters, spreads and preparations.
To prevent contaminated products from entering the Canadian market, the CFIA is implementing new Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) licence conditions for importers. These conditions require importers to provide full and accurate import information, including the correct HS-codes and detailed documentation demonstrating compliance with the Safe Food for Canadians Act (SFCA) and Regulations (SFCR). Importers who fail to provide complete information risk seizure, detention, destruction of goods, or suspension or cancellation of their SFC licence.
A key requirement under the new measures is mandatory proof of origin for all pistachio shipments entering Canada:
Proof of origin:
If the consignment or shipment is from outside Iran, SFC licence holders must obtain a proof of origin from the exporter or the competent authority in the exporting country demonstrating that the pistachios originate from a country other than Iran. This documentation must be included in the import declaration. If the proof of origin is not provided, the importer will be instructed to resubmit the declaration with the required evidence. Shipments without proof of origin will be refused entry into Canada.
The proof of origin must be on official company or authority letterhead, signed and dated, and must state the specific region and country where the pistachios were grown and harvested. These documents will be used to verify the legitimacy of all incoming pistachio shipments.
Under Canadian law—including section 4 of the Safe Food for Canadians Act and subsection 4(1) of the Food and Drugs Act—importing or selling contaminated food such as Salmonella-positive pistachios is strictly prohibited. Licence holders must analyze and manage food safety hazards, including Salmonella, within their preventive control plans in accordance with sections 86, 88, and 89(1)(c) of the SFCR.
The strengthened import controls are expected to remain in place until the CFIA determines that the risk of Salmonella in pistachios originating from Iran has been adequately addressed."