From Co-ops to Hospital Beds: Unraveling the E. Coli Outbreak Linked to Organic Walnuts from California’s Gibson Farms Inc.

Organic walnuts from Gibson Farms Inc. of Hollister, California have been traced back to a multistate outbreak of E. coli infections that has resulted in at least a dozen people falling ill, with seven individuals requiring hospitalization. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is collaborating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health authorities to investigate the outbreak.

The FDA has published a list of impacted stores on its website, including specific Whole Foods Market locations, and is working with Gibson Farms Inc. and its distributors to pinpoint the source of contamination. Approximately 10 people have been interviewed by state and local health officials, all of whom confirmed consuming walnuts in the week before becoming ill. Nearly all reported purchasing organic walnuts from bulk bins in food co-ops or natural food stores.

Following the FDA’s traceback investigation identifying Gibson Farms Inc. as the common supplier of the contaminated walnuts, the company issued a voluntary recall in late April. They also notified their distributing customers. The FDA continues to work with the company to determine the source of contamination and investigate whether other products or states have been affected. The agency will provide updates as more information becomes available.