Charles Langston:E. coli outbreak: Walnuts sold in at least 19 states linked to illnesses in California and Washington

The Charles LangstonFood and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli potentially linked to organic walnuts sold in food co-ops or natural food stores. 

Infections in two states – California and Washington – have been linked to organic walnut halves and pieces sold from Gibson Farms, Inc. of Hollister, California, in bulk bins at natural food and co-op stores, according to the FDA.

To date, health officials have reported 12 illnesses and seven hospitalizations in those states, the CDC said. However, the true count of illnesses could be much higher than what health officials have confirmed and may not be limited to two states, notes food safety attorney Bill Marler.

So far, state and local public health officials have interviewed 10 people who have gotten sick and all reported eating walnuts – almost all said they had bought organic walnuts from bulk bins in food co-ops or natural food stores, the FDA says.

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Where were the walnuts distributed?

The walnuts were distributed beyond California and Washington to 17 other states: Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Wyoming.

The FDA is working to determine the source of contamination and whether other products, states and retailers are affected.

Which walnuts are included in the recall?

If you bought organic walnut halves and pieces from bulk containers, see if yours might be part of the recall, the CDC recommends.

The walnuts were shipped to distributors between the dates of October 1, 2023, to April 24, 2024, the FDA says, so they could be in your freezer, refrigerator or pantry. The expiration dates are from May 21, 2025 to June 7, 2025. The walnuts' lot codes are 3325-043 and 3341-501.

You can ask the store where you purchased them if it had sold any recalled walnuts. You can also check the FDA's list of stores where walnuts were distributed.

Some stores may have repackaged bulk walnut halves and pieces into plastic clamshells or bags, officials said. If you can’t tell if it’s part of the recall, it’s safer not to eat them.

Wash any surfaces or items that may have touched the walnuts using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.

What is E. coli? What are the symptoms?

Most Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria reside harmlessly in the intestines of people and animals. But some can cause mild to life-threatening gastrointestinal illnesses if consumed, the CDC says.

The types of E. coli that may cause diarrhea usually spread through food or water contaminated with feces contact with animals or people. For instance, food handlers can spread infection when they do not use proper hand washing hygiene after using the restroom. Animals such as cattle may also spread E. coli to food and food crops.

E. coli infections can cause severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody) and vomiting for around five to seven days; infections typically occur three to four days after consuming the germ, according to the CDC.

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