Organic walnuts recalled from Skagit stores

The Washington state Department of Health announced a recall of Gibson Farms, Inc. bulk organic walnuts April 30.

They were joined by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in advising people to stop eating organic walnut halves and pieces sold in bulk at several stores in Washington because of possible contamination with E. coli bacteria.

The Skagit Valley Food Co-op posted its own announcement on May 2. It does not use Gibson Farms walnuts in its deli or bakery foods.

The Department of Health reported at least 12 people in California and Washington state have been infected with E. coli bacteria after eating bulk organic walnut halves and pieces. Six of those people live in Washington. No one has died from their infection.

The Skagit Valley Food Co-op calls for discarding nuts bought there between Dec. 1, 2023, and April 24. It will provide refunds.

Organic walnuts bought at the Anacortes Food Co-op are to be discarded, also.

The Department of Health advises checking the list of stores on its food recalls and alerts website to see if the walnuts are part of the recall. Stores may repackage bulk walnuts into plastic clamshells or bags. Discard bulk-purchased organic walnut halves and pieces bought at listed stores.

Stop eating and discard recalled walnuts, including those stored in your refrigerator or freezer.

If you can’t tell if your walnuts are part of the recall, it’s safer not to eat them. Wash containers used to store the recalled walnuts and any surface they may have touched with hot soapy water or a dishwasher.

E. coli bacteria can cause severe or even life-threatening infections, usually starting three or four days after eating or drinking something contaminated. Symptoms include diarrhea (which is often bloody), severe abdominal pain and vomiting. Most people get better in five to seven days, but children 5 years or younger are at higher risk of severe illness.

Contact your health care provider if you ate a food that contains the recalled walnuts and develop symptoms of E. coli infection.