On August 3, 2026, the FDA posted a recall for one lot of Bettergoods Pistachio Nut Butter — the 6.7 oz jar with lot code LB028ACP04 and an expiration date of January 28, 2027 — after routine inspection by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services found possible Salmonella. The product, made in Italy for Walmart’s Bettergoods line, was sold exclusively at Walmart in 19 states; no illnesses have been reported. For people managing gout, this recall is first and foremost a food-safety reminder: check the lot code and return or discard the affected jar. But it also raises a question we hear often: are pistachios and nut butters actually good for gout? The evidence suggests pistachios sit in the low-purine range, making them a reasonable snack in sensible portions.
First, Check the Jar: What the Recall Actually Means
The recall is very narrow. Only one lot of one product is affected: Bettergoods Pistachio Nut Butter in the 6.7 oz (190 g) glass jar bearing UPC 194346207961, lot code LB028ACP04, and an expiration date of January 28, 2027. The product was manufactured by Gustibus Alimentari Srl of Assoro, Italy, imported by Boticelli Foods of Melville, New York, and distributed exclusively through Walmart in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Washington, and Wyoming.
If you bought a jar, the steps are simple: find the lot code printed on the jar, compare it to LB028ACP04, and if it matches, do not eat it. Return it to any Walmart for a full refund or discard it. No other lots are affected, and the FDA notes that no illnesses have been reported in connection with this lot. Salmonella infections can be serious for young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems, so taking the recall seriously matters even when the risk feels abstract.
Beyond this specific product, the recall is a useful reminder to check recall notices now and then — food recalls are common, and many target pantry staples like nut butters, spices, and powdered mixes. The easiest habit is to note the lot code and expiration date on a jar when you first open it, so you can quickly confirm whether it appears in any future notice.
Are Pistachios Low in Purines?
Yes. Pistachios are generally classified as a low-purine food in most purine reference databases, with typical published values well below those of organ meats, sardines, and other high-purine foods. Because gout flares are influenced by total purine load, the practical question is how much purine a serving adds relative to your whole day. A modest handful of pistachios — roughly an ounce — contributes a small fraction of the daily purine budget that most gout management plans allow.
The larger picture is about protein source. In the landmark 2004 Nurses’ Health Study analysis published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Choi and colleagues found that higher animal protein intake was associated with higher gout risk, while higher plant protein intake was not associated with gout risk the same way. Nuts are a plant protein, and pistachios in particular are a convenient source that pairs well with a gout-conscious eating pattern. The 2020 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) gout guideline also emphasizes dietary pattern rather than a single “forbidden” food, which is why nuts — eaten unsalted and in moderate portions — are generally considered compatible.
One caution is portion size and preparation. Salted or honey-roasted pistachios add sodium and sugar that have nothing to do with purines but may matter for blood pressure and overall metabolic health, both of which are relevant to people with gout. Choose unsalted, dry-roasted or raw pistachios, and treat a small handful — about 30 grams — as a portion.
Nut Butter vs. High-Sugar Snacks
For people with gout, snack choices matter more for added sugar than for purines. Sugar-sweetened foods and beverages are the dietary factor most consistently linked to higher uric acid and gout risk — the 2008 BMJ analysis by Choi and colleagues found that increasing intake of sugar-sweetened soft drinks was associated with higher gout risk. Against that backdrop, plain nut butter on a slice of whole-grain toast or a spoonful of natural pistachio butter stirred into plain yogurt is usually a better trade than a cookie or a sugary granola bar.
But not all nut butters are equal. A jar labeled “pistachio butter” may contain added sugar, salt, or hydrogenated oils that turn a reasonable snack into a less reasonable one. Read the ingredient list; the shorter it is, the better. A good rule of thumb is to look for products whose only ingredient is the nut itself, or the nut plus salt.
If you are shopping by budget or preference, plain nut butters — peanut, almond, or pistachio — are interchangeable from a gout standpoint, since they all sit in the low-to-moderate purine range. Pair them with foods that are already part of a gout-friendly pattern: a banana, apple slices, or plain yogurt. For more context on how dairy fits into gout management, see the dairy guide.
A Practical Checklist for Nut Butter Shopping
If you eat nut butters regularly, a few habits reduce both the safety and the dietary risk:
- Buy unsalted, plain varieties with short ingredient lists.
- Keep the jar’s lot code and expiration date handy, or check the FDA recall site periodically.
- Store opened jars according to the label — many natural nut butters benefit from refrigeration once opened.
- Watch portion size: about one to two tablespoons, or a small handful of whole nuts.
- Be extra careful with any nut product during a flare; keep portions small and focus on hydration.
Food-safety rules also matter more when your body is under stress. If a product is recalled, the safest response is always to return or discard it rather than sample a spoonful “to check.” For more on how processed foods and additives interact with gout management, read the processed foods guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I still eat pistachios after this recall?
Yes. The recall is limited to one lot of Bettergoods Pistachio Nut Butter with lot code LB028ACP04 and expiration date January 28, 2027. Pistachios from other brands, and other lots of the same product, are not part of the recall. Check the lot code on your jar, and if it does not match, there is no reason to throw it away for safety reasons. As always, choose unsalted pistachios and keep portions reasonable.
Q2: Are pistachios high in purines?
No. Pistachios are generally classified as low in purines, and nuts as a group are considered compatible with gout management when eaten in moderate amounts. In the 2004 Nurses’ Health Study analysis, plant protein intake was not associated with gout risk in the same way animal protein was. A small handful is a sensible portion; the concern is more often added salt or sugar in flavored varieties than purines themselves.
Q3: How much nut butter is reasonable for gout?
About one to two tablespoons is a reasonable serving of nut butter, and about 30 grams (a small handful) for whole nuts. Choose plain, unsalted varieties with short ingredient lists. If you want a specific comparison, you can search “nut butter” in the FoodCanEat database to see purine notes for individual products. Total daily diet and hydration matter far more than any single snack.
References: Choi HK et al. N Engl J Med 2004;350:1093-1103 (plant vs animal protein and gout risk); Choi HK et al. BMJ 2008;336:309-312 (sugar-sweetened soft drinks and gout risk); Kaneko K et al. Biol Pharm Bull 2014;37(5):709-721 (purine content classification); Fitzgerald JD et al. Arthritis Care Res 2020;72(6):744-760 (ACR 2020 gout guideline); FDA recall notice for Boticelli Foods / Bettergoods Pistachio Nut Butter, Aug 3, 2026.