The Gibson Farms walnuts E. coli outbreak has ended with 13 people sick in two states, according to the FDA. The case count is: California (7) and Washington (6). Seven people were hospitalized because they were so sick. And two people developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a type of kidney failure, according to an earlier update. The last illness onset date was April 4, 2024. The recalled product is Gibson Farms bulk organic walnuts. They were sold at natural food and co-op stores in Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. The walnuts may have had the lot codes 3325-043 and 3341-501. The walnuts should no longer for sale. They … [Read more...]
Home Canned Nopales Associated with CA Botulism Outbreak
Home canned nopales are associated with a California botulism outbreak, according to news reports. Two women are in the ICU, and in all, 10 people got sick. This happened at a family party near Fresno, California. The other eight patients have been released. No new cases have been reported. The first people who got sick and went to the hospital were diagnosed with vertigo, Norma Sanchez, a disease specialist with the Fresno COunty Department of Public Health said in a press briefing. They were sent home. A full scale investigation revealed that the problem was botulism. The family's trash was investigated and other party attendees were interviewed before the toxin was traced back to home canned nopales. The home canned nopales were processed in May. Since this outbreak was … [Read more...]
Do Not Eat Some Oysters From British Columbia Because of PSP
Do not eat some oysters from British Columbia because they may be contaminated with Paralytic Shellfish Toxin, or PSP, according to the FDA. The oysters are from Dailyfresh Shellfish, Inc., with lot number 240531JM that were harvested from Subarea 23-10 in British Columbia, Canada on May 30, 2024. The oysters were sold to restaurants and food retailers in California. On June 10, 2024, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency advised the FDA that recent monitoring detected elevated levels of PSP in shellfish harvested from that Subarea. The shellfish was shipped to California and may have been distributed to other states as well. PSP is a naturally occurring biotoxin that is produced by some species of microscopic algae. Shellfish, which are filter feeders, eat the algae and can retain … [Read more...]
New Salmonella Outbreak on FDA Core Table Sickens 100
A new Salmonella outbreak on the FDA's Core Outbreak Investigation Table has sickened at least 100 people, according to the latest update. There are only two other outbreaks on the Table at this time: The E. coli O157:H7 outbreak allegedly linked to walnuts, and the Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak that is allegedly linked to organic fresh basil. The new Salmonella outbreak is caused by Salmonella Africana, a variant that has not caused any illnesses in the United States since at least 2011. There are 100 people sick. The FDA has initiated traceback, but has not started inspections, and has not collected or tested samples. The E. coli O157:H7 outbreak allegedly linked to organic Gibson Farms walnuts remains unchanged since the last update was issued on May 1, 2024. There are 12 … [Read more...]
Possible Hepatitis A Exposure at Whole Foods in Beverly Hills
A possible hepatitis A exposure has been reported at the Whole Foods store located at 239 North Crescent Drive in Beverly Hills, California, according to the County of Los Angeles Public Health Department. No additional cases have been identified as of May 17, 2024. An employee allegedly worked at that Whole Foods store while infectious between April 20 and May 13, 2024. Anyone who bought products from the seafood counter section at the store during those dates may have been exposed. Since the hepatitis A vaccine is most effective if given within two weeks of exposure, anyone who bought those products after May 6, 2024 may not be eligible. Talk to your doctor about whether or not you should get the vaccine. Contact your local pharmacy or medical provider for more information. … [Read more...]
Long History of Nut and Nut Product Outbreaks
In the wake of the current E. coli outbreak linked to organic walnuts, there is a long history of nut and nut product outbreaks. Nuts are an agricultural product, and just like leafy greens, herbs, and berries, can be contaminated with pathogenic bacteria. And nuts, like other types of produce, are often eaten without a consumer "kill step," in other words, cooking. History of Nut and Nut Product Outbreaks The current E. coli O157 outbreak allegedly linked to Gibson Farms organic walnuts and walnut pieces has sickened at least 12 people in two states, California and Washington. Seven of those patients have been hospitalized, and two people have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. The walnuts have been recalled. In 2022, a Salmonella Senftenberg … [Read more...]
FDA on Gibson Farms Walnuts E. coli O157 Outbreak
The FDA has weighed in on the Gibson Farms walnuts E. coli O157 outbreak that has allegedly sickened at least 12 people in two states: California and Washington. Seven of those 12 patients have been hospitalized, and two of them have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. The recalled organic walnut halves and pieces were sold at natural food and co-op stores in these states: Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. The walnuts were sold in bulk, but some stores may have repackaged the nuts into bags or plastic clamshell containers. A list of the store names and locations where the walnuts may have been sold is … [Read more...]
Gibson Farms Organic Walnuts Recalled For Possible E. coli O157
Gibson Farms organic walnuts sold in bulk are being voluntarily recalled for possible E. coli O157 contamination. There is an outbreak allegedly linked to bulk organic walnuts that has sickened at least 12 people in two states (California and Washington). Seven of those patients have been hospitalized, and two have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. Traceback conducted by the FDA found that Gibson Farms supplied the bulk walnuts to stores where some patients shopped. The Gibson Farms organic walnuts were sold shelled, as "Light Halves and Pieces." They were packaged in bulk boxes in net weight 25 pound quantities. The lot numbers for these walnuts are 3325-043 and 3341-501, and the expiration dates are 5/21/25 and 6/7/25. The company voluntarily … [Read more...]
Organic Bulk Walnuts E. coli Outbreak Sickens 12 in 2 States
An organic bulk walnuts E. coli O157 outbreak has sickened at least 12 people in two states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Seven of those patients have been hospitalized. Two have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. The patient case count by state is: Washington (6), and California (6). Illness onset dates range from February 1, 2024 to April 4, 2024. The patient age range is from six to 84 years. State and local pubic health officials interviewed patients about the foods they ate before they got sick. Of the 10 interviewed, all said they ate walnuts. That percentage is significantly higher than the 26% of respondents who said they ate walnuts in the FoodNet Population Survey during the same time frame. And all … [Read more...]
Some Raw Korean Oysters May Be Contaminated With Norovirus
Some raw Korean oysters may be contaminated with norovirus, according to the FDA. Restaurants and food retailers in California might have bought the oysters. They may have been distributed to other states as well. The oysters were harvested from Designated Area No. 1 on November 27, 2023 and January 3, 2024, and from Designated Area No. 2 on February 14, 2024, and processed on November 27, 2023, January 4, 2024, and February 15, 2024. The oysters are raw, and frozen on the half shell. The oysters were processed by JBR (KR 15 SP) in Tongyeongsi, Republic of Korea. The lot numbers of the recalled oysters are B231126, B240103, and B240214. There are some people sick with norovirus in San Diego County, according to officials. There are at least 11 people sick. The customers ate the … [Read more...]
