An E. coli outbreak linked to organic carrots has claimed one life and infected 39 people across 18 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The outbreak has been connected to organic bagged baby and whole carrots from Grimmway Farms, which has issued a recall of the affected products.
Although only one case has been reported in Colorado so far, the actual number of infections may be higher as many people recover without medical care and are not tested for the disease, CDC officials explained. The recalled carrots, with best-by dates ranging from Sept. 11 to Nov. 12 for baby carrots and available for purchase between Aug. 14 and Oct. 23 for whole carrots, are no longer on store shelves but could still be in consumers’ homes.
15 people have been hospitalized and one person has died as a result of the outbreak. The states with more severe cases have not been identified, but E. coli infections have been reported in Washington, Oregon, California, Wyoming, Texas, and several other states.
Individuals over 65 and children under five are at higher risk of severe illness from E. coli, which can cause symptoms such as vomiting, severe stomach cramps, and diarrhea. Symptoms typically appear within three to four days after consuming contaminated food.
The recalled carrot brands include various names such as Bunny Luv, Cal-Organic, and Trader Joe’s. CDC officials advise consumers to check their refrigerators or freezers for recalled carrots and dispose of them immediately to prevent further illness.
