A California company is recalling organic walnuts sold at natural food stores and co-op retailers in 19 states after an E. coli outbreak sickened 12 people and hospitalized seven, federal officials say. .
Gibson Farms, based in Hollister, Calif., claims that shelled walnuts sold under the brand name “Organic Lite Half and Peas” are “containing Escherichia coli strain 0157, which causes a diarrheal disease often accompanied by bloody stools. :H7”, so we are conducting a voluntary recall. ” the Food and Drug Administration said in a notice Tuesday.
The recall was made after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notified the company that 12 cases of walnut-related illnesses had been recorded. The FDA said they were distributed at more than 300 food retailers, including Whole Foods Market, New Seasons Market and Rosauer's Supermarket.
The FDA said an investigation is underway to identify potential sources of contamination. The company did not immediately respond to inquiries Wednesday.
Symptoms of E. coli vary from person to person and may include cramps, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal problems. Other common symptoms include vomiting and fever. According to the CDC, symptoms begin three to four days after consuming food or drink containing E. coli.
According to a Whole Foods spokesperson, the recovered walnuts will be shipped to 10 Whole Foods Market stores across Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas and will be used solely as an ingredient in salads served in their salad bars. It is said that it was done. A spokesperson said the salad items were removed from the salad bar and the recalled walnuts were immediately disposed of.
A spokesperson for New Seasons Market said the grocery store chain was “immediately removing the affected items from shelves” and “posting the relevant sections to alert consumers who may have purchased them.” “We have put up signboards,” he added.
Dr. Richard Ellison, an epidemiologist at the University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, Mass., said this particular strain of E. coli causes bloody diarrhea and “can cause serious illness in a small number of people.” He said it is related to a toxin called Shiga. he said Wednesday.
Most healthy adults recover completely within a week, but some people can develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome, which is most likely to occur in young children and the elderly. the FDA said in the notice.
Dr. Ellison said about 90% of people recover on their own without the need for antibiotics, but about 10% develop the disease, which can cause anemia and kidney damage.
“In general, we provide supportive care and recommend that people keep well hydrated,” he added.
The FDA said consumers with symptoms should contact their health care provider for treatment.
So far, people with symptoms in the outbreak have been in California and Washington state. No deaths were reported.
According to the FDA, Organic Light halves and pieces are sold in bulk bins in 25-pound quantities, and the use-by date for affected products is May 21, 2025, to June 7, 2025, the agency said. .
A list of stores where walnuts were sold can be found on the FDA website.
Consumers who purchase walnuts from bulk containers should check their pantries, refrigerators, and freezers and “do not eat or use them,” the FDA said. They must also “clean and disinfect surfaces” that came into contact with the product, the agency said.
The FDA said retailers who receive the recalled products should discard the walnuts and disinfect the containers before refilling.