(AP) -- A company at the heart of a nationwide pistachio recall says Kraft Foods Inc. detected salmonella in its pistachios more than six months ago but didn't report it until last week.
Setton International Foods Inc. production manager Lee Cohen said Friday that pistachios from California sister company Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella, Inc. tested positive for salmonella in a Kraft snack mix in September 2008.
Setton Pistachio recalled more than 2 million pounds of the nuts on Monday after a Kraft manufacturer found salmonella in another batch of its roasted pistachios on March 20.
Cohen says Kraft didn't tell Setton Pistachio of the September test until last week.
Food and Drug Administration food safety official Dr. David Acheson says he thinks Kraft destroyed or recalled the tainted trail mix.
Kraft did not immediately respond to repeated messages seeking comment.
©2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
