A multi-state food safety alert was issued Wednesday for an E. coli outbreak possibly linked to organic walnut halves and pieces sold in bulk bins at natural food stores and food co-ops in Southern California and elsewhere.
The Gibson Farms walnut pieces were distributed at stores in cities including San Diego, San Marcos, Escondido and Encinitas, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The walnuts have expiration dates between May 21, 2025, and June 7, 2025.
So far, six people have reported possible E. coli illness in California, the CDC said. Gibson Farms, based in Hollister, has initiated a product recall, the public health agency said.
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The CDC said almost all the sick people reported purchasing organic walnuts from bulk bins in food co-ops or natural food stores.
These are the stores in San Diego that had the walnut pieces:
- Jimbos Naturally- 10511 4-S Commons Drive, 12841 El Camino Real and 1633 S Centre City Parkway
- Lazy Acres Market- 422 W Washington St., San Diego and 150 Encinitas Blvd., Encinitas
- Ocean Beach Co-Op- 4765 Voltaire Street, San Diego
- Sun Organic Farm- 411 Las Posas, San Marcos
- Super GP Foods & Associates- 110 E Olive Dr. San Ysidro
- Frazier Farms Market in La Mesa and Vista
“If you or a loved one are feeling sick, contact your doctor as soon as possible,” said Wilma J. Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “The E. coli bacteria can cause serious kidney problems that require hospitalization, so it is important to get care promptly.”
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Symptoms of E. coli
Symptoms include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and/or vomiting. Symptoms begin anywhere from a few days after consuming contaminated food or up to nine days later.
The severity or presence of certain symptoms may depend on the type of pathogenic E. coli that is causing the infection. Some infections can cause severe bloody diarrhea and lead to life-threatening conditions, such as a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), or the development of high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, and neurologic problems.
More details on the outbreak, click here.
The CDC says illnesses linked to the recalled walnuts have also been reported in Washington.
