E. coli outbreak prompts walnut recall in multiple states

An E. coli outbreak may be linked to walnuts sold in California and 18 other states, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned Wednesday.

Gibson Farms organic walnut halves and pieces were sold in bulk bins at stores in cities that include Brentwood, Compton, Culver City, Riverside and Rancho Mirage and in San Diego County, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Some stores may repackage bulk walnut halves and pieces into plastic clamshells or bags.

The walnuts’ expiration dates are between May 21, 2025, and June 7, 2025, according to the CDC.

So far 12 illnesses and seven hospitalizations were possibly linked to Hollister-based Gibson Farms Inc.’s walnuts, the CDC reported. Nearly all the people who became ill purchased the walnuts from bulk bins in food co-ops or natural food stores in California and Washington.

E. coli causes fever and diarrhea often with bloody stools, the FDA said.

“Although most healthy adults can recover completely within a week, some people can develop a form of kidney failure called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome,” according to the FDA. “HUS is most likely to occur in young children and the elderly. The condition can lead to serious kidney damage and even death.”

A list of stores affected by the outbreak is online at fda.gov/media/178182/download?attachment.

Updated May 2, 2024, 9:07 a.m.