In 18 states, an E. coli outbreak connected to recalled organic carrots has left dozens of people ill and one person dead. To stop additional illnesses, health officials advise customers to clean surfaces and throw away contaminated products.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified recalled organic carrots as the cause of a statewide E. coli outbreak that has left 39 people sick and one person dead in 18 states.
Trader Joe’s, Wegmans, and Walmart were among the brands for which Grimmway Farms, the California-based manufacturer at the heart of the recall, issued warnings.
The contaminated carrots were sold as organic baby and whole carrots and were branded under several names, including Good & Gather, GreenWise, and 365.
Given the best-if-used-by dates ranged from September 11 to November 12, the products may still be in customers’ homes even though they may have been pulled from shelves at retailers.
For its part, Grimmway Farms instructed customers to disinfect any surface that the recalled carrots may have come into contact with, and advised either to discard them or return them to the store.
An E. coli that produces Shiga toxin can cause infections that bring on symptoms such as fever, loss of orientation, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Infection usually subsides after a week, but can be dangerous for young children, the elderly, and people suffering compromised immune systems.
“The health of our customers is our top priority,” said Jeff Huckaby, president of Grimmway Farms, summarizing what the company believes in while committing itself to solving the problem.
The farms that were affected during the course of the investigation have been shut down.
With severe symptoms present, the CDC is urging consumers to check their refrigerators, and get medical advice if something has gone wrong. The totality of the diseases may not be known, so the CDC continues to monitor the outbreak.
