On April 30, 2024, federal health officials announced an E. coli outbreak linked to walnuts sold in bulk at Whole Foods, other natural food stores, and co-ops. Nuts are a common source of food poisoning, but many recent outbreaks and recalls for nuts have been due to Salmonella contamination. So, which multistate E. coli outbreaks have been linked to nuts?
2024 E. coli Outbreak Linked to Bulk Walnuts
The current E. coli outbreak is linked to walnut halves and pieces sold in bulk at natural food stores and co-ops in 19 states. At least 12 people in two states have been sickened- six in California and six in Washington. Seven patients have been hospitalized, two of them with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a form of kidney failure that is a complication of E. coli infections. Gibson Farms Inc. of Hollister, CA has issued a recall for the walnuts.
Do You Need an E. coli Lawyer?
2017 I.M. Healthy SoyNut Butter E. coli Outbreak
In 2017, a 12-state E. coli outbreak linked to I.M. Healthy SoyNut Butter sickened 32 people. Twelve people were hospitalized, including nine children with HUS. The Pritzker Hageman E. coli team filed a lawsuit on behalf of one of those children.
During an inspection of the manufacturing facility, FDA investigators found multiple food safety violations and suspended the food facility registration of Dixie Dew of Erlanger, KY.
2010 Hazelnut E. coli Outbreak
In 2010, a three-state E. coli outbreak linked to in-shell hazelnuts sickened eight people, four of whom were hospitalized. The cases were reported from Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. The nut distributor, DeFranco & Sons of Los Angeles, issued a recall.
Symptoms of an E. coli Infection
Symptoms of an E. coli infection, which include abdominal cramps and diarrhea that can be bloody, usually develop within one to three days of exposure.
Over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications and antibiotics should not be given to patients with E. coli infections as they can increase the chance of developing HUS.
Symptoms of HUS usually set in about one week after E. coli symptoms. They include:
- Pale skin
- Skin that easily bruises
- Decreased urine output
- Lethargy
- Bloody diarrhea
Anyone with these symptoms should seek immediate medical care as HUS can be fatal. Treatment for HUS includes blood transfusions, dialysis, plasma exchange, and kidney transplants.
Experienced E. coli Lawyers
The E. coli Team at Pritzker Hageman has represented clients in every major U.S. E. coli outbreak. In one recent case, our team of E. coli lawyers obtained one of the largest E. coli verdicts in U.S. history.
If you or your family member developed an E. coli infection from contaminated walnuts and you would like a free consultation with an experienced E. coli lawyer, please contact us by calling 1-888-377-8900, sending a text to 612-261-0856, or by completing the form below. The consultation is free and there is no obligation.