Editor’s note: The following alert was posted by the Washington State Department of Health this week.
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CDC and public health officials in several states are investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coliO121 infections linked to multiple brands of recalled organic whole bagged carrots and baby carrots sold by Grimmway Farms. Carrots on store shelves right now are likely not affected but may be in people’s homes. If you have any recalled carrots in your home, throw them out or return them to the store.
As of November 17, 2024, there are 39 cases from 18 states including: Arkansas, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming.
CDC Food Safety Alert: E. coli Outbreak Linked to Organic Carrots
FDA Recall Information: Grimmway Farms Recalls Organic Whole and Select Organic Baby Carrots That May Be in Consumers’ Homes Due to Potential E. coli Contamination
Washington State Case Information
As of November 17, 2024, eight Washington residents have been included in this outbreak. Cases reside in King (4), Snohomish (2), Franklin (1) and Pierce (1) counties. Five were hospitalized and none died.
Recalled Food
On November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms recalled multiples sizes and brands of bagged organic baby and whole carrots. These products are likely no longer in stores for sale, but may still be in your home.
- Baby Organic Carrots
- Best-if-used-by dates ranging from 9/11/2024 to 11/12/2024
- Brands: 365, Bunny Luv, Cal-Organic, Compliments, Full Circle, Good & Gather, GreenWise, Grimmway Farms, Marketside, Nature’s Promise, O-Organic, President’s Choice, Raley’s, Simple Truth, Sprouts, Trader Joe’s, Wegmans, Wholesome Pantry
- Organic Whole Carrots
- Were available for purchase in stores approximately from 8/14/2024 through 10/23/2024
- No best-if-used-by-dates are on the bags of organic whole carrots.
- Brands: 365, Bunny Luv, Cal-Organic, Compliments, Full Circle, Good & Gather, GreenWise, Marketside, Nature’s Promise, O-Organic, President’s Choice, Simple Truth, Trader Joe’s, Wegmans, Wholesome Pantry
See the recall for more information about brands and sizes.
Advice to Consumers
- Do not eat any recalled bagged organic carrots. Check your refrigerators or freezers for recalled carrots and throw them away.
- Wash items and surfaces that may have touched the recalled organic carrots using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.
- Contact your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these severe STEC E. coli symptoms:
- Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F
- Diarrhea for more than 3 days that is not improving.
- Bloody diarrhea
- So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down.
- Signs of dehydration, such as:
- Not peeing much
- Dry mouth and throat
- Feeling dizzy when standing up
About Shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC)
E. coli bacteria normally live in the intestines of humans and animals. Many strains of E. colibacteria exist, and most of them are harmless or beneficial to human health. STEC are strains of E. coli that produce Shiga toxin (such as E. coliO157:H7) and can cause serious illness in people.
Symptoms of E. coliInfection
People usually get sick from Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) 2 to 8 days (average of 3 to 4 days) after swallowing the germ. Symptoms often include:
- Severe stomach cramps
- Diarrhea (often bloody)
- Vomiting
- Low grade fever (less than 101ºF/38.5ºC)
Some people with a STEC infection may get a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Symptoms of HUS include decreased urine production, dark or tea-colored urine, and losing pink color in cheeks and inside the lower eyelids.
Symptoms of E. coli
Prevention
- Avoid eating high-risk foods, especially undercooked ground beef, unpasteurized milk or juice, soft cheeses made from unpasteurized milk, or sprouts.
- Use a food thermometer to make sure that ground beef has reached a safe internal temperature of 160° F.
- Thoroughly wash fresh produce before eating.
- Wash hands before, during, and after preparing food, after diapering infants, and after contact with cows, sheep, or goats, their food or treats, or their living environment.
- E. coli Facts, Foodsafety.gov
- E. coli, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
