HONOLULU – The Hawaiʻi State Department of Health (DOH) Food and Drug Branch (FDB) issued a recall alert for Gibson Farms bulk Organic California Shelled Walnuts due to potential Escherichia coli 0157:H7 (E. coli) contamination. The recalled product, specifically organic light halves and pieces, may have been distributed to local natural food retailers in Hawaiʻi.
Symptoms of E. coli infection can include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and/or vomiting, with effects potentially manifesting up to nine days after consumption. While most healthy adults can recover within a week, severe cases could lead to complications such as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), particularly in young children and the elderly. As of now, there have been no reported illnesses in Hawaiʻi linked to the recalled walnuts.
Consumers who have purchased the affected walnuts are advised by the DOH to refrain from consuming them and to contact their healthcare provider if experiencing symptoms. Additionally, retailers are urged to dispose of any recalled products, sanitize bins, and reach out to the distributor if unsure of the product's origin.
Veronica Cheatham of Gibson Farms can be contacted for further information at 1-831-637-3512 or [email protected] regarding the recall. More details, including the product descriptions and relevant information, can be found in the official recall notice.