Marathon Ventures Recalls Roasted, Salted In-Shell Pistachios

CONTACT: MARATHON VENTURES, INC. (800) 828-7688

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — OMAHA, NEBRASKA&NDASH; (APRIL 9, 2009) &NDASH;MARATHON VENTURES, INC. ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT IT IS VOLUNTARILY RECALLING RETAIL ITEMS CONTAINING ROASTED, SALTED IN-SHELL PISTACHIOS WHICH WERE SUPPLIED BY SETTON PISTACHIO OF TERRA BELLA, INC. AS A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE BECAUSE THE PRODUCT MAY BE CONTAMINATED WITH SALMONELLA.&NBSP; SETTON EXPANDED THEIR RECALL OF ROASTED SHELLED AND IN-SHELL PISTACHIOS APRIL 6, 2009 TO INCLUDE ALL 2008 CROP PISTACHIO PRODUCTS THAT IT HAS SHIPPED TO DATE.

SALMONELLA IS AN ORGANISM WHICH CAN CAUSE SERIOUS AND SOMETIMES FATAL INFECTIONS IN YOUNG CHILDREN, FRAIL OR ELDERLY PEOPLE, AND OTHERS WITH WEAKENED IMMUNE SYSTEMS. HEALTHY PERSONS INFECTED WITH SALMONELLA OFTEN EXPERIENCE FEVER, DIARRHEA (WHICH MAY BE BLOODY), NAUSEA, VOMITING AND ABDOMINAL PAIN. IN RARE CIRCUMSTANCES, INFECTION WITH SALMONELLA CAN RESULT IN THE ORGANISM GETTING INTO THE BLOODSTREAM AND PRODUCING MORE SEVERE ILLNESSES SUCH AS ARTERIAL INFECTIONS (I.E., INFECTED ANEURYSMS), ENDOCARDITIS AND ARTHRITIS.

THE ITEMS BELOW WERE SOLD AFTER FEBRUARY 2, 2009 THROUGH GROCERY, FOODSERVICE AND OTHER RETAIL OUTLETS LOCATED IN NE, IA, KS, MN, MO, SD, WI, IN AND PA.&NBSP;

UPC	BRAND	PRODUCT DESCRIPTION	UNIT WT.	UNIT OF MEASURE	CODE DATE/ LOT NUMBER
75450 07924	HYVEE	PISTACHIOS (ROASTED, SALTED, IN-SHELL)	1.5	OZ.	BEST BY: FEB02 2010 MAR26 2010 MAR29 2010&NBSP;&NBSP;&NBSP;&NBSP;&NBSP;&NBSP;&NBSP;
75450 07939	HYVEE	PISTACHIOS (ROASTED, SALTED, IN-SHELL)	16	OZ.	BEST BY:&NBSP; FEB03 2010 FEB04 2010 MAR12 2010
75049 00166	HERMAN&RSQUO;S NUT HOUSE	PISTACHIOS (ROASTED, SALTED, IN-SHELL)	1.5	OZ.	03I17D
75049 00201	HERMAN&RSQUO;S NUT HOUSE	PISTACHIOS (ROASTED, SALTED, IN-SHELL)	6	OZ.	03I04A

THERE HAVE BEEN NO ILLNESSES OR INJURIES REPORTED TO-DATE AFFILIATED WITH THESE PRODUCTS.&NBSP; ANYONE CONCERNED ABOUT AN INJURY/ILLNESS SHOULD CONTACT A PHYSICIAN IMMEDIATELY.&NBSP; MARATHON VENTURES, INC. HAS INFORMED FDA OF ITS ACTIONS AND IS COOPERATING FULLY WITH THE ONGOING INVESTIGATION.&NBSP; CONSUMERS WHO HAVE PURCHASED THE ITEMS LISTED BELOW SHOULD NOT CONSUME THIS PRODUCT AND SHOULD RETURN IT THE STORE OF PURCHASE FOR A FULL REFUND OR REPLACEMENT.&NBSP;

CONSUMERS MAY DIRECT THEIR QUESTIONS REGARDING THE RECALLED ITEMS TO MARATHON VENTURES, INC. CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT (800) 828-7688 MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY FROM 8:00 AM TO 4:30PM CENTRAL DAYLIGHT TIME OR VIA E-MAIL AT [email protected]