By SDCN Editor
San Diego, CA–County of San Diego public health officials say walnuts tied to a national E. coli outbreak were sold in 10 local natural food stores.
According to public health officials, two people who ate the Gibson Farms walnuts from the stores have gotten ill from the same strain of E. coli. One San Diego County resident was hospitalized.
The Shiga toxin-producing E. coli found in the walnuts can potentially cause hospitalizations and even deaths. Gibson Farms, which produced the walnuts, has issued a nationwide recall.
County health says the walnuts were sold halved or in pieces in bulk bins as early as October 1, 2023. Local stores may have repackaged and sold the walnuts in individual bags or takeout containers for customer convenience.
Consumers should throw away the recalled walnuts and wash any containers or surfaces that touched the walnuts with hot soapy water or in the dishwasher.
E. coli can cause severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting, often within three to four days. Consumers experiencing symptoms should seek immediate medical care.
“If you or a loved one are feeling sick, contact your doctor as soon as possible,” said Wilma 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.”
The County is working with local stores that received shipments of the recalled walnuts and confirmed that all stores have removed the product and disinfected the storage bins as of May 3.
Those stores include Jimbos Naturally in San Diego at 4S Ranch, Carmel Valley, Carlsbad, and Escondido, Lazy Acres Market in San Diego and Carlsbad, Ocean Beach Co-Op, Frazier Farms Market in La Mesa and Vista, and Sun Organic Farm in San Marcos.
The CDC says illnesses linked to the recalled walnuts have also been reported in Washington.
