39 cases of salmonella in Quebec: Dubai chocolates and pistachios recalled by Health Canada

More than 50 people, including 39 in Quebec, have contracted salmonella by consuming Dubai chocolates or pistachios that are the subject of recalls by Health Canada.

Habibi brand "Pistachio Kernel" products, Al Mokhtar Food Centre brand "Pistachio" products, and Dubai brand kunafa and pistachio milk chocolate sold in Quebec and Ontario are the cause of this outbreak.

They are all subject to recalls by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

"Do not consume, use, sell, serve, or distribute recalled pistachios and pistachio-containing products," Health Canada states on its website. "The recalled pistachios may have been used and sold in baked goods."

Some 52 cases of salmonellosis linked to these products have been reported so far across the country, including 39 in Quebec.

These people are believed to have fallen ill between March and mid-July.

Nine people are hospitalized in connection with this outbreak of infections.

These are only laboratory-confirmed cases.

"The actual number of sick people in Canada is likely much higher," it says. "Researchers estimate that for every case [linked to the bacteria] Salmonella reported to public health, 26 other cases go unreported."

The Public Health Agency of Canada has opened an investigation into these recalls and says it will release more information as it becomes available.