Carrot recall as E. coli outbreak leaves 1 dead, dozens infected across U.S.
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Close-up of Grimmway Farms logo on a bag of organic carrots. Photo: Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images
Organic bagged carrots sold in the U.S. under multiple brands have been linked to an E. coli outbreak that's killed one person and sickened 39 others in at least 18 states — with 15 hospitalized, the CDC said Sunday.
The big picture: Grimmway Farms in Bakersfield, California, said in a statement Saturday that it has issued a recall of select organic whole carrots and organic baby carrots due to the outbreak affecting brands including Nature's Promise, Wegmans and Trader Joe's.
- It follows an E. coli outbreak linked to onions served in McDonald's Quarter Pounder hamburgers that began in September, infecting more than 100 people in 14 states, that now appears to be contained.
State of play: The recalled products were shipped directly to retail distribution centers nationwide in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada and sold under various brand names, per Grimmway Farms.
- "This outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses, and the true number of sick people is likely much higher than the number reported," per a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statement.
- That's because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for E. coli, the health agency noted.
- A Food and Drug Administration-CDC investigation "identified Grimmway Farms as the common supplier of organic whole and baby carrots in this outbreak" and the company "initiated a voluntary recall" of the food and contacted their distributing customers, per an FDA statement.
Threat level: "Symptoms include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and/or vomiting," according to the FDA.
- These begin "anywhere from a few days after consuming contaminated food or up to nine days later," the FDA said.
Zoom in: Grimmway Farms said those affected are organic whole carrots that do not have a best-if-used-by date printed on the bag, but were available for purchase at retail stores from Aug. 14 through Oct. 23.
- Additional affected brands are: 365, Bunny Luv, Cal-Organic, Compliments, Full Circle, Good & Gather, GreenWise, Grimmway Farms, Marketside, O-Organic, President's Choice, Raley's, Simple Truth, Sprouts and Wholesome Pantry.
- Also impacted are organic baby carrots with best-if-used-by dates ranging from Sept. 11 through Nov. 12, according to Grimmway Farms.
- Brands selling baby carrots that are affected are: 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 and Wholesome Pantry.
Go deeper: McDonald's E. coli outbreak adds to fast-food industry worries
