Oregon hazelnut packer refusing to disclose list of suppliers in E. coli outbreak investigation

An Oregon hazelnut packer is refusing to disclose a list of the farmers who supply his company as investigators attempt to trace a recent E. coli outbreak.

According to Oregon Public Broadcasting, hazelnuts linked to an E. coli outbreak in the Midwest earlier this year were packed at George Packing, of Newburg, Ore.

Health officials in Minnesota have confirmed the link between hazelnuts and the outbreak, but a spokesperson for the Oregon company said that link is not conclusive. The company’s suppliers list is considered proprietary and does not feel it should be disclosed.
Hazelnuts are a likely source of contamination because they are picked off the ground. This increases the likelihood they’ll be contaminated with animal droppings, according to the OPB report.

A member of the Oregon Hazelnut Marketing Board said if a packer is forced to disclose the list of its suppliers, it could implicate each grower into the recall and be detrimental to their business.

If the Food and Drug Administration confirms the same link as Minnesota health officials, it could advise consumers to avoid all products packed at George Packing.