At least a dozen individuals have fallen ill due to a multistate outbreak of E. coli infections connected to the consumption of walnuts. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health officials, is actively investigating the outbreak. The infections are believed to be associated with organic walnuts supplied by Gibson Farms Inc. of Hollister, California.

The affected walnuts were distributed in bulk bins across multiple natural food and co-op stores in over twelve states. Some stores may have further repackaged the walnuts and sold them in plastic clamshells or bags, complicating the identification of the potentially contaminated products.

State and local health officials have interviewed approximately ten people who contracted E. coli infections. In all cases, the individuals confirmed consuming walnuts in the week prior to falling ill. Furthermore, nearly all of the interviewed individuals reported purchasing organic walnuts from bulk bins at food co-ops or natural food stores.

The FDA has compiled a list of impacted stores, including specific Whole Foods Market locations, which can be found on their website. Fox Business reached out to Whole Foods for comment regarding the outbreak.

Gibson Farms Inc. was identified as the common supplier of the walnuts through the FDA's traceback investigation. As a result, the company voluntarily issued a recall at the end of April and notified their distributing customers. The FDA is actively working with Gibson Farms Inc. and its distributors to pinpoint the source of the contamination. Federal officials are also investigating whether other products or states have been affected by the outbreak.

The FDA has assured the public that it will provide updates on the situation as more information becomes available.