FDA is reporting that an E. coli outbreak has been linked to Organic Walnuts produced by Gibson Farms, Inc. of Hollister, California. To this point, 12 people have become ill with 7 hospitalizations. Of 10 people interviewed, all 10 (100%) reported eating walnuts, and almost all reported buying organic walnuts from bulk bins in food co-ops or natural food stores.
Gibson Farms recalled Organic Light Halves and Pieces shelled walnuts after Gibson Farms received information that they may have the potential to be contaminated with E. Coli 0157:H7. The Organic Light Halves and Pieces shelled walnuts were sold to distributors located in CA and WA. Gibson Farms, Inc. has voluntarily recalled the product(s) after being notified by the CDC of 12 recorded illnesses allegedly linked to the consumption of organic halves and pieces shelled walnuts. A full investigation is currently under way to determine the potential source of the contamination.
https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-e-coli-o157h7-bulk-organic-walnuts-april-2024
Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O157:H7: Bulk Organic Walnuts (April 2024)
Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled organic walnuts sold in bulk bins at natural food and co-op retailers in multiple states. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.
Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 12
Hospitalizations: 7
Deaths: 0
Last Illness Onset: April 4, 2024
States with Cases: CA, WA
Product Distribution*: AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, KS, LA, MT, NE, NM, NV, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA, and WY
Product
Recalled organic walnut halves and pieces sold in bulk bins at natural food and co-op stores in AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, KS, LA, MT, NE, NM, NV, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA, and WY. Some stores may repackage bulk walnut halves and pieces into plastic clamshells or bags.
FDA’s investigation is ongoing to determine if additional products or states are affected. This advisory will be updated as information becomes available.
April 30, 2024
The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating illnesses in a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections linked to organic walnuts from Gibson Farms, Inc. of Hollister, California that were distributed to multiple natural food and co-op stores in AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, KS, LA, MT, NE, NM, NV, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA, and WY and sold in bulk bins.
State and local public health officials have interviewed people about the foods they ate in the week before they became ill. Of the 10 people interviewed, all 10 (100%) reported eating walnuts, and almost all reported buying organic walnuts from bulk bins in food co-ops or natural food stores.
FDA’s traceback investigation identified Gibson Farms, Inc. as the common supplier of walnuts in this outbreak. On April 27, 2024, Gibson Farms, Inc. initiated a voluntary recall and contacted their distributing customers. Distributors and retailers that may have received recalled bulk organic walnuts should follow the recommendations above and contact their customers.
FDA is working with the firm and its distributors to determine the source of contamination, whether additional products or states are affected, and retailers that received recalled product. This advisory will be updated as information becomes available.
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/gibson-farms-voluntarily-recalls-organic-light-halves-and-pieces-shelled-walnuts-because-possible
Gibson Farms Voluntarily Recalls Organic Light Halves and Pieces Shelled Walnuts Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: April 30, 2024
FDA Publish Date: April 30, 2024
Product Type: Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Due to potential Escherichia coli 0157:H7 (E. coli) contamination
Company Name: Gibson Farms
Brand Name: Gibson Farms
Product Description: California Shelled Walnuts, Organic Light Halves and Pieces
Company Announcement
On 04/26/2024, Gibson Farms recalled Organic Light Halves and Pieces shelled walnuts because Gibson Farms received information that they may have the potential to be contaminated with E. Coli 0157:H7. E. coli O157:H7 causes a diarrheal illness often with bloody stools. Although most healthy adults can recover completely within a week, some people can develop a form of kidney failure called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). HUS is most likely to occur in young children and the elderly. The condition can lead to serious kidney damage and even death.
The Organic Light Halves and Pieces shelled walnuts were sold to distributors located in CA and WA. Gibsons Farms Organic Light Halves and Pieces shelled walnuts were sold in bulk boxes in Net Wt. 25 lbs quantities and can be identified by lot 3325-043 & 3341-501 with expiration dates 5/21/25 & 6/7/25.
Gibson Farms, Inc. has voluntarily recalled the product(s) after being notified by the CDC of 12 recorded illnesses allegedly linked to the consumption of organic halves and pieces shelled walnuts. A full investigation is currently under way to determine the potential source of the contamination.
Gibson Farms requests consignees to hold and discontinue selling their existing stock of lot 3325-043 and lot 3341-501 and return any remaining inventory of the recalled products to our local warehouse Gibson Farms 1190 Buena Vista Rd Hollister Ca 95023. If you have distributed or sold this product to other retailers, please notify your clients as to the status of this product. Any retailers that have received the recalled walnuts are recommended to do the following:
Retailers that received recalled products and do not clean and sanitize bulk bins between refilling them, should discard the contents of the bin and clean and sanitize it before refilling.
Retailers that received recalled product from a distributor but do not know the brand or lot code information, you should hold product, sanitize your bins, and contact your supplier.
Consumers with questions may contact the company at Veronica Cheatham 831-637-3512 or email foodsafety@gibsonfarmsinc.com 8:30 am-4:40pm PST Monday through Friday
FDA has reason to believe that the following retail locations received the walnuts, included in the recall by Gibson Farms. These products may have been repacked from their original packaging or sold in bulk. This list may not include all retail establishments that have received the recalled product or may include retail establishments that did not actually receive the recalled product. Therefore, it is important that you use the product-specific identification information, available here, in addition to this list of retail stores, when you check the food you have to see if it has been recalled.
Retail Locations that Received Gibson Farms Walnuts
Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O157:H7: Bulk Organic Walnuts (April 2024) | FDA
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