SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Two people in San Diego County have gotten sick after eating walnuts that contained the Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, health officials said Friday.
One of the two people who fell ill was hospitalized, the County of San Diego said on its website.
The report comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned on Tuesday of an E. coli outbreak linked to organic walnuts sold in 19 states, including California.
Gibson Farms Inc. produced the affected walnuts that were sold halved or in pieces in bulk bins as early as Oct. 1, per health officials. The walnuts may have been repackaged and sold in individual bags or takeout containers for customer convenience, the county added.
The following ten local stores and co-ups received the shipments of the recalled walnuts, according to the county:
- Jimbos Naturally in San Diego (4S Ranch and 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
- Sun Organic Farm in San Marcos
As of Friday, all the aforementioned stores removed the product and disinfected the storage bins, the county confirmed.
E. coli causes symptoms like severe stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting that can occur within three to four days. Hospitalizations or deaths are possible.
“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.”
Health officials advise people to not eat the affected walnuts, toss them out and wash any containers of surfaces that touched the walnuts with hot soapy water or in the dishwasher.
