Dozens Sickened in Suspected Food Poisoning Outbreak at Tennessee Walmart Distribution Center

Dozens of workers fell ill late Thursday at a large Walmart distribution center in Lebanon, Tennessee, in what officials are investigating as a possible food-related illness outbreak. Emergency services were initially called to the facility after a report of one sick employee, but upon arrival, they found a significant number of staff experiencing symptoms.

In total, 19 workers were transported to local hospitals, while an additional 25 to 30 individuals received treatment at the distribution center. No deaths were reported, and emergency responders remained on-site through Friday morning.

The distribution center, which is one of Walmart's largest at 925,000 square feet, serves as a fulfillment center that ships millions of items directly to consumers who place online orders. It employs approximately 300 people. It is unclear if the center handles food items.

A spokesperson for Walmart stated that the health and safety of their associates is a top priority and that the company is cooperating with local emergency management and health officials in their investigation. The spokesperson also indicated that customers are not believed to be at risk.

While official causes have not been determined, a food safety law firm suggested potential links to Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium that can contaminate food and cause symptoms like nausea and vomiting, or norovirus, a common cause of foodborne illness characterized by vomiting and diarrhea. These suggestions are not officially confirmed.

Foodborne illnesses affect approximately 48 million people in the U.S. annually, leading to an estimated 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Norovirus is identified as the leading cause of these illnesses.