A massive recall of organic carrots and baby carrots sold in grocery stores nationwide has been issued by a California grower after a possible outbreak of E. coli. coli that has already killed one person.
Grimmway Farms, which manufactured and packaged the organic carrots, issued the recall Saturday after nearly 40 cases were recorded in 18 states. At least 15 people were hospitalized and one person died, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
Where were the carrots sold?
A number of stores that sold carrots in the United States, including Puerto Rico, and Canada are affected, including Walmart, Kroger, Albertsons, Publix, Food Lion, Target, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and Canadian chains Loblaws and Compliments.
“State and local public health officials are asking people about the foods they ate in the week before they became ill,” the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Sunday. “Of the 27 people surveyed, 26 reported eating carrots. The FDA’s traceability investigation identified Grimmway Farms as the common supplier of organic whole and baby carrots in this outbreak.”
Which carrots have been recalled?
According to the FDA, the recall did not remove carrots from store shelves because they should no longer be available for sale. However, they can still be found in people’s homes and refrigerators.
Organic whole carrots, which do not have an expiration date printed on the bag, but were available for purchase in retail stores from August 14 to October 23, 2024.
Small organic carrots with expiration dates from September 11 to November 12, 2024.
What brands of carrots have been recalled?
These lists include the brands or store brands (and bag size) that sold the carrots.
Organic whole organic carrots
Whole Foods 365 – 1 lb, 2 lb, 5 lb
Grimmway Farms
Rabbit Luv – 1 lb, 2 lb, 5 lb, 10 lb, 25 lb
Cal-Organic – 1 lb, 2 lb, 5 lb, 6 lb, 10 lb, 25 lb
Compliments – 2 lbs
Full circle – 1 lb, 2 lb, 5 lb
Good and Gather – 2 lb
GreenWise – 1 lb, 25 lb
Market side – 2 lbs
Nature’s Promise – 1 lb, 5 lb
O-Organics – 1 lb, 2 lb, 5 lb, 10 lb
Grimmway Farms
President’s Choice – 2lb
Simple truth – 1 lb, 2 lb, 5 lb
Trader Joe’s – 1 lb
Wegmans – 1 lb, 2 lb, 5 lb
Healthy Pantry -1 lb, 2 lb, 5 lb
Organic baby carrots
Whole Foods 365 – 12 oz, 1 lb, 2 lb
Grimmway Farms
Rabbit Luv – 1 pound, 2 pounds, 3 pounds, 5 pounds
Cal-Organic – 12oz, 1lb, 2lb, 2pk/2lbs
Compliments – 1 lb
Full circle – 1 lb
Good & Gather – 12oz, 1lb
Grimmway Farms
GreenWise – 1 lb
Grimmway Farms – 25 lbs
Market side – 12oz, 1lb, 2lb
Nature’s Promise – 1 lb
O-Organics – 12oz, 1lb, 2lb
President’s Choice – 1 lb, 2 lb
Raley’s – 1 lb
Simple truth – 1 lb, 2 lb
Sprouts – 1 lb, 2 lb
Trader Joe’s – 1 lb
Wegmans – 12 oz, 1 lb, 2 lb
Healthy Pantry – 1 lb, 2 lb
What type of E. coli could be associated with the epidemic?
According to the CDC, carrots may be linked to an outbreak of E. coli O121:H19, which could cause severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody) and vomiting. Symptoms usually begin three to four days after swallowing the bacteria, and most people recover without treatment within five to seven days.
Some people may develop serious kidney problems and need to be hospitalized, the CDC said.
Already 39 people have been infected in 18 states, including Washington, Minnesota, New York, California, Oregon, South Carolina, New Jersey, Texas, North Carolina, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Colorado, Massachusetts, Michigan, Orion, Virginia and Wyoming.
What to do if you have carrots?
The CDC and FDA say all recalled carrots should be thrown out immediately or returned to the store for a refund. People should also clean and disinfect any surfaces they may have touched.
