E.coli outbreak linked to walnuts sold in 19 states: CDC

Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill

Updated: May 1, 2024 / 11:58 AM CDT

(The Hill) – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned on Tuesday of an E. coli outbreak linked to organic walnuts sold in bulk that has so far infected 12 people in California and Washington.

Seven people have been hospitalized and two have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a dangerous kidney disease, the CDC said. There have been no deaths reported.

Almost all of the people infected purchased walnuts in bulk that were originally supplied by Gibson Farms, Inc, which has since recalled the products.

The nuts were sold at stores or food co-ops across 19 states: Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming, per the Food and Drug Administration. Only two — California and Washington — have reported illnesses, with six cases in each state recorded as of Tuesday, the CDC said.

The recalled nuts were sold from bulk bins at stores including Whole Foods and Market of Choice. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a list of markets that may have received the walnuts.

The CDC is advising consumers to ask their stores if recalled walnuts were sold at the location, saying some stores may repackage the product into plastic clamshells or bags. Businesses should check to see if they have received organic walnut halves and pieces with specified lot codes from Gibson Farms, Inc. and should not serve them, the CDC said.

The affected nuts also have expiration dates between May 21, 2025, and June 7, 2025, according to the CDC.

The CDC is advising consumers and businesses to discard the contents and to “use extra care” to wash items and surfaces that may have touched the walnuts.

E. coli symptoms include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. They usually develop three to four days after swallowing the bacteria, the CDC said. While some people recover without treatment after five to seven days, others may develop serious kidney problems and may need to be hospitalized.