Organic carrots recalled in US after dozens fall sick, 1 person dies amid E coli outbreak

The CDC posted on its website, “CDC and public health officials in several states are investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli O121 infections linked to multiple brands of recalled organic whole bagged carrots and baby carrots sold by Grimmway Farms.”

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.https://t.co/lzD2Z1SEAw pic.twitter.com/dL4KpqmZr1

— CDC (@CDCgov) November 17, 2024

The number of stores affected by the E coli outbreak in carrots are reported to be across the United States, including Puerto Rico, and Canada including Walmart, Kroger, Albertsons, Publix, Food Lion, Target, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and Canadian chains Loblaws and Compliments.

The US Food and Drug Administration said, “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 reported eating carrots. The FDA’s traceback investigation identified Grimmway Farms as the common supplier of organic whole and baby carrots in this outbreak.”

The CDC advised people that carrots on the store shelves present as of now may not be affected but the ones affected might be in people’s homes. The CDC added that people should throw the carrots out or return them to the store if they are in possession of it.

Grimmway Farms, based in Bakersfield, California, has recalled the carrots, which included whole and baby organic carrots. Baby organic carrots have best-if-used-by dates ranging from September 11 to November 12 and whole organic carrots available in stores from about August 14 to October 23.

According to the CDC, symptoms of E coli include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting.