A recent E. coli outbreak linked to organic, bagged carrots that sickened nearly 50 people across 19 states has ended, according to health officials.
The outbreak linked to organic whole and baby carrots supplied by Grimmway Farms of Bakersfield, California led to a recall impacting a slew of grocery stores, including Whole Foods, Wegman's, Trader Joe's and more.
In all, 48 people fell ill as a result, including more than half a dozen in New York and New Jersey. There was one death reported, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said, as well as 20 hospitalizations. One of those sickened later developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can cause kidney failure, according to health officials.
According to officials, the true number of sick people is "likely much higher" than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to states with known illnesses.
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In November, F&S Fresh Foods recalled Whole Foods Market 15 oz. organic carrot sticks, along with 15 oz. organic carrots and celery, the FDA said previously. The recall was initiated several days after the company was notified by Grimmway Farms that carrots it had supplied to F&S Fresh Foods could be contaminated with E. coli.
The initial recall was announced Nov. 16 by Grimmway Farms, and included multiple sizes and brands of bagged organic baby and whole carrots. While the carrots are no longer sold in stores, the CDC had urged consumers to check the refrigerators for the contained food.
Which states were impacted?
A full list of states where people reported illness after eating the carrots can be found below:
- Washington: 8 people
- Oregon: 3 people
- California: 3 people
- Wyoming: 1 person
- Colorado: 1 person
- Texas: 1 person
- Minnesota: 5 people
- Missouri: 1 person
- Arkansas: 1 person
- Michigan: 1 person
- Ohio: 1 person
- South Carolina: 2 people
- North Carolina: 1 person
- Virginia: 1 person
- Pennsylvania: 1 person
- New Jersey: 2 people
- Massachusetts: 1 person
- New York: 5 people
List of brands recalled
News
According to the CDC, the recall included bagged, organic whole and baby carrots sold at a number of popular grocery stories, including Trader Joe's, Walmart and Target. The carrots were shipped to retail distribution centers nationwide in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada, the Food and Drug Administration said.
A full list of the products recalled can be found below:
Baby Organic Carrots (best-if-used by dates ranging from Sept. 11, 2024 to Nov. 12, 2024):
- 365
- Bunny Luv
- Cal-Organic
- Compliments
- Full Circle
- Good & Gather
- GreenWise
- Grimmway Farms
- Marketside
- Nature's Promise
- O-Organic
- President's Choice
- Raley's
- Simple Truth
- Sprouts
- Trader Joe's
- Wegman's
- Wholesome Pantry
Organic Carrot Sticks - prepackaged
- Whole Foods Market
Organic Carrots & Celery sticks - prepackaged
- Whole Foods Market
Whole Organic Carrots (were available for purchase in stores between 8/14/2024 and 10/23/2024):
- 365
- Bunny Luv
- Cal-Organic
- Complements
- Full Circle
- Good & Gather,
- GreenWise
- Marketside
- Nature's Promise
- O-Organic
- President's Choice
- Simple Truth
- Trader Joe's
- Wegman's
- Wholesome Pantry
There have been several E. coli outbreaks in recent months. In October, more than 100 McDonald’s customers were sickened by an E. coli outbreak in the U.S. linked to slivered onions. In the U.K., one person died in an E. coli outbreak in June linked to lettuce that sickened at least 275 people. Organic walnuts sickened consumers in 19 states with E. coli infections in April.
Despite the number of recent outbreaks, experts say the food supply is generally safe, although there hasn’t been much progress in curbing infections caused by E. coli.
E. coli symptoms
Symptoms of E. coli infection usually start three to four days after eating the bacteria and include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, which is often bloody, and vomiting. People with severe symptoms of an E. coli infection should seek medical attention and tell the provider what they ate, the CDC said.
The bacteria E. coli can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, elderly people and those with weakened immune systems, according to the FDA.
