On September 27, 2025, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency announced that it would be temporarily banning imported pistachios from Iran as a result of a Salmonella outbreak. 

All other origins will require a proof of origin from the exporter, and if one is not provided, then the importer will be required to hold and test the pistachios at their own cost. 

Proof of Origin requirements include the following: 

Shipments of pistachios and pistachio-containing products must be accompanied by a proof of origin declaring that the pistachios were not grown and harvested in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

• Must be from the exporter on official company letterhead
• Must include the signature of the exporter
• Must include the date the letter was signed by the exporter
• Must include the state and country where the pistachios were grown and harvested

Details regarding the hold and test process from the CFIA involve the following: 

Any shipment not accompanied by the Proof of Origin will be subject to hold and test. Importers are to hold shipments and have them tested at an accredited laboratory at their expense. The product is only considered acceptable for sale or further use upon the importer's receipt of satisfactory lab results that show an absence of Salmonella. Records of analysis for the products tested must be communicated to the CFIA to demonstrate that each lot complies with the Safe Food for Canadians licence conditions. For details on sampling and submission of results, contact your local CFIA inspection office at: https://inspection.canada.ca/en/about-cfia/contact-cfia/contact-cfia-office-telephone

The expression "hold" or "held" means that the pistachios are to be sampled, tested, and kept at the address provided under paragraph 13(1)(d) of the SFCR until the test results reveal that Salmonella has not been detected.

Affected HS Codes include: 

0802.51.00.00

0802.52.00.00

11.06.30.00.00  Note: this HS code includes products other than pistachio

2007.99.90.41  Note: this HS code includes products other than pistachio

2008.19.10.20

2008.19.90.80  Note: this HS code includes products other than pistachio

2008.19.90.90  Note: this HS code includes products other than pistachio

Full details of both can be found on the official CFIA notice located here.

The full news release can be found here.