E. coli cases in 3 states traced to filberts

Published 1:35 pm Saturday, March 5, 2011

ST. PAUL  — Minnesota officials say recent cases of E. coli infection in three states are linked to eating in-shell hazelnuts, also known as filberts.

The filberts were purchased from bulk bins at grocery stores. Three cases have been identified in Minnesota, three in Wisconsin and one in Michigan.

Routine monitoring by health departments in the three states identified E. coli cases with the same DNA fingerprint.

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Agriculture agencies have traced the hazelnuts to a distributor in California. The company has recalled all hazelnut and mixed nut products distributed from Nov. 2 to Dec. 22, 2010.