Customers with recalled carrots at home are urged to discard them and clean any surfaces they may have come into contact with.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating an E. coli outbreak linked to organic carrots, affecting at least 18 states and resulting in one death. Since early September, 39 E. coli cases have been reported, leading to 15 hospitalizations.
The recall involves various sizes and brands of organic baby and whole carrots, all produced by Grimmway Farms of Bakersfield, California.
Although the recalled carrots are likely no longer on store shelves, they may still be in people’s homes. Affected individuals are advised to dispose of or return the carrots and clean any surfaces they may have touched.
The recall includes baby organic carrots with best-if-used-by dates between September 11 and November 12, and whole organic carrots sold between August 14 and October 23. These products were sold under several brand names, including Grimmway Farms, Sprouts, Trader Joe’s, Wegmans, and Good & Gather.
The CDC notes that the full scale of the outbreak may not be reflected in the reported cases, as it can take weeks to confirm an infection, and many cases go unreported. Most people recover from Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, the strain associated with the recalled carrots, within 5 to 7 days, although young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk.
Grimmway Farms has pledged to work with health authorities to address the outbreak and ensure the safety of their products, emphasizing their commitment to customer health and product quality.
