Grimmway Farms, one of the largest carrot producers globally, has initiated an extensive recall of their products after a recent E. coli outbreak connected to organic carrots has affected people across 18 states, leading to one death and 39 confirmed infections.
The products involved in the recall consist of organic whole carrots that were sold between August 14 and October 23, as well as baby carrots that have best-if-used-by dates from September 11 to November 12. Most of these items are probably not on store shelves anymore.
This outbreak began between September 6 and October 28, resulting in 15 individuals requiring hospitalization, according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention’s epidemiologic data. The states that are most affected are reported to be Minnesota, New York, and Washington.
The CDC has indicated in their statement that the true number of infections could be much higher than reported because many people who get sick don’t go to the doctor or get tested. The recall affects a variety of organic baby and whole carrots sold under well-known brands like Wegmans and Trader Joe’s.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that the contamination is due to a harmful strain of E. coli known as Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. This bacteria can lead to serious health issues. Symptoms usually show up within a week after coming into contact with the contaminated product and can include vomiting, stomach cramps that are described to be very severe, and bloody diarrhea.
While many people recover fairly quickly, certain groups—such as young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems—are at greater risk of experiencing severe complications. If you’re showing serious symptoms such as a fever over 102°F, diarrhea that doesn’t go away after three days, or any signs of dehydration, the CDC advises you to seek medical help right away.
The CDC also recommends that everyone check their fridges and freezers for the recalled carrots and toss out any that are affected right away. It’s also important to thoroughly clean any surfaces or containers that came into contact with those carrots using hot, soapy water or a dishwasher. Grimmway Farms has stated that they have stopped production at the farms linked to the outbreak and are working with investigators as they look into the situation.