Check your refrigerator if you recently purchased organic carrots.
According to a news release from Grimmway Farms, there may have been E. coli bacteria present in some of its organic whole and baby carrots that are sold at several supermarket chains, such as Trader Joe’s, Wegmans, Whole Foods, and Target.
After the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discovered that the carrots could be linked to an epidemic, the Bakersfield, California-based manufacturer voluntarily recalled the product. According to the CDC, there have been 39 cases, 15 hospitalizations, and one fatality so far in 18 states.
According to the CDC, Shiga toxin-producing E. coli can cause vomiting, severe stomach cramps, and bloody diarrhea. It primarily affects children under five and the elderly. Rarely, it may result in hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can cause death or renal failure.
E. coli can contaminate food and water after often spreading through human or animal excrement.
Grimmway Farms distributed the recalled carrots under many brands, including Trader Joe’s, Wegmans, Bunny-luv, Nature’s Promise, Simple Truth, Good & Gather, and 365, and delivered them to distribution sites in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Grimmway Farms has posted images of every label that is impacted.
According to Grimmway Farms, the baby carrots’ best-by dates range from September 11 to November 12, 2024, while the recalled whole carrots were available for purchase from August 14 to October 23.
Grimmway Farms advised consumers who might still have the recalled carrots in their refrigerators to discard them even if they are no longer available on retail shelves.
“We take our role in ensuring the safety and quality of our products seriously,” stated Jeff Huckaby, the company’s president and chief executive officer. “The health of our customers and the integrity of our products are our highest priorities, and we are conducting a thorough review of our growing, harvest, and processing practices.”
Slivered onions on McDonald’s Quarter Pounders are suspected of being connected to an E. coli epidemic that was reported last month. In 14 states, the epidemic has caused at least 104 illnesses and one fatality.
