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See map of recalled ground beef and walnuts

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Two recalls due to food possibly contaminated with E. Coli have been making national headlines all week and adding unnecessary stress to trips to the grocery store.

Cargill Meat Solutions has recalled more than 16,000 pounds of ground beef shipped to Walmart stores in 11 states and Washington, D.C., the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday.

Infections in two states – California and Washington – have been linked to organic walnut halves and pieces sold in bulk bins at health food and co-op stores. The contaminated walnuts, sourced from Gibson Farms, Inc. of Hollister, California, prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct a multi-state investigation.

There are currently no overlapping states in the recalls, as the potentially contaminated walnuts were sent to 19 states, primarily on the Midwest and West Coasts, and the chopped was distributed to Walmart stores on the East Coast.

Here’s what you need to know:

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Which walnuts are subject to the recall?

Consumers who purchased organic walnut halves and pieces from bulk containers can use the following information to determine if their walnuts are included in the recall.

  • The walnuts were shipped to distributors between October 1, 2023 and April 24, 2024.
  • The expiration dates are from May 21, 2025 to June 7, 2025.
  • The lot codes of the walnuts are 3325-043 and 3341-501.

Some stores may have repackaged walnut halves and pieces in bulk in plastic clamshells or bags, officials said. If a consumer does not know whether purchased walnuts are part of the recall, it is safer not to eat them.

Which packages of minced meat does the recall apply to?

Cargill Meat Solutions recalled packages of ground beef with the facility ID “EST. 86P” produced between April 26 and 27.

The packages, which do not have Cargill branding on the top packaging, were shipped to Walmart stores in 11 states and Washington, DC, according to Cargill.

Affected packages include:

  • Plastic-wrapped 2.25 pound trays containing “93% LEAN 7% FAT ALL NATURAL LEAN GROUND BEEF” with lot code 117 and location number “EST. 86P” printed on the back of the label.
  • Plastic-wrapped 1.33 pound trays containing four “PRIME RIB BEEF STEAK BURGERS PATTIES” with lot code 118 and location number “EST. 86P” printed on the back of the label.
  • Plastic-wrapped 2.25 pound trays containing “85% LEAN 15% FAT ALL NATURAL ANGUS PREMIUM GROUND BEEF” with lot code 117 and location number “EST. 86P” printed on the back of the label.
  • Plastic-wrapped 2.25 pound trays containing “80% LEAN 20% FAT ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF CHUCK” with lot code 118 and location number “EST. 86P” printed on the back of the label.
  • Plastic-wrapped 1.33-pound trays containing four “80% LEAN 20% FAT ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF CHUCK PATTIES” with lot code 118 and location number “EST. 86P” printed on the back of the label.
  • Plastic-wrapped 1.33-pound trays containing four “90% LEAN 10% FAT ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF SIRLOIN PATTIES” with lot code 118 and location number “EST. 86P” printed on the back of the label.

What is E.coli? What are the symptoms?

Most Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria reside harmlessly in the intestines of people and animals. But some can cause mild to life-threatening gastrointestinal illness when consumed, the CDC says.

The types of E. coli that can cause diarrhea usually spread through food or water contaminated with feces. For example, food handlers can spread infections if they do not practice good handwashing hygiene after using the restroom. Animals such as livestock can also spread E. coli to food and food crops.

According to the CDC, health officials reported 12 illnesses and seven hospitalizations in California and Washington linked to the organic walnuts.

The USDA said there have been no reports of people becoming ill from the possibly contaminated ground beef.

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