E. Coli Outbreak In Organic Carrots Kills One And Hospitalizes 15, Health Officials Announce

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According to public health officials, an E. coli outbreak in organic carrots has killed one individual, hospitalized 15 people, and caused 39 total illnesses.

“The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating illnesses in a multistate outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O121:H19 infections linked to organic whole and baby carrots supplied by Grimmway Farms of Bakersfield, California,” the FDA announced.

“State and local public health officials are interviewing people about the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. Of the 27 people interviewed, 26 (96%) reported eating carrots,” the agency continued.

“E. Coli Outbreak: 39 people are sick in 18 states. Check your homes for recalled bagged organic carrots. Do not eat recalled carrots. Throw them away. Carrots currently on store shelves are not affected. See the notice for a full list of brands of carrots,” the CDC stated.

From the FDA:

FDA’s traceback investigation identified Grimmway Farms as the common supplier of organic whole and baby carrots in this outbreak. On November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms initiated a voluntary recall of multiple quantities and brands of bagged organic whole and baby carrots and contacted their distributing customers. The retail-packaged organic whole carrots were in stores for purchase from August 14 through October 23, 2024. The organic baby carrots have different best-if-used-by-dates ranging from September 11 through November 12, 2024. A full list of recalled products is below.

Although product is likely no longer on the market, carrots can last a long time when refrigerated or frozen. Consumers should check their refrigerators and freezers and discard these recalled products. Distributors and retailers that may have received recalled bagged organic whole and baby carrots should follow the recommendations above and contact their customers.

FDA is working with the firm to determine the source of contamination and whether additional products are affected. This advisory will be updated as information becomes available.

“Organic whole carrots were available for purchase at retail from August 14 through October 23, 2024 (365, Bunny Luv, Cal-Organic, Compliments, Full Circle, Good & Gather, GreenWise, Marketside, Nature’s Promise, O Organic, President’s Choice, Simple Truth, Trader Joe’s, Wegmans, Wholesome Pantry),” the FDA noted.

“Organic baby carrots include specific best-if-used-by dates printed on the bags ranging from September 11 to November 12, 2024 (365, Bunny Luv, Cal-Organic, Compliments, Full Circle, Good & Gather, GreenWise, Grimmway Farms, Kroger, LIDL, Marketside, Nature’s Promise, O Organic, President’s Choice, Raley’s, Simple Truth, Sprouts, Trader Joe’s, Wegmans, Wholesome Pantry),” the agency added.

Per USA TODAY:

The recalled Grimmway Farms products may have been contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, which is a bacterium that can “cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, elderly people and those with a weakened immune system,” according to the CDC and California-based grower.

“Some infections can cause severe bloody diarrhea conditions, such as a hemolytic uremic syndrome, or the development of high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, and neurologic problems,” the CDC said.

Symptoms of E. coli infections include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and/or vomiting, according to the agency. The incubation period for E. coli in humans ranges from 24 hours to as long as 10 days, with the average incubation period being three to four days, the CDC said.

Grimmway Farms said it has notified customers who received the affected carrots directly from them and requested that they notify distributors of the recalled products. The implicated farms are out of production, and none of the recalled carrots have tested positive for E. coli, according to the company.

Review the full list of recalled products HERE.



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