Foodborne illness is particularly scary, as contaminated products are often unassuming. We expect food to have gone through thorough inspections to ensure it's safe to eat, yet outbreaks do happen, the latest of which is a fatal E. coli outbreak. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the outbreak is linked to bagged, organic whole carrots and baby carrots sold by Grimmyway Farms. It's not limited to one region of the U.S., either—as of yesterday, nearly 40 illnesses were reported.
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Since early September, 39 people have gotten sick due to Shiga-toxin-producing E.coli, and one person has died, the CDC said in a notice outlining the outbreak. On Nov. 16, Grimmway Farms recalled the carrots, which were sold in retail stores in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada between Aug. 14 and Oct. 23, 2024, according to a recall notice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). While health officials note that products you see in the grocery store now "are likely not affected," there is reason to believe contaminated carrots are in people's homes.
The outbreak has affected the highest number of people in Washington (8 people sick), Minnesota (5 people sick), and New York (5 people sick). California and Oregon have reported three cases, and the sole death was also reported in California. One to two illnesses were reported in Wyoming, Colorado, Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. Per CDC data, 15 people have been hospitalized.
Recalled baby and full-size carrots were sold by several big-name retailers under different brand names, including:
- 365 (Whole Foods store brand)
- Bunny Luv
- Cal-Organic
- Compliments
- Full Circle
- Good & Gather (Target store brand)
- GreenWise (Publix store brand)
- Grimmway Farms
- Marketside (Walmart store brand)
- Nature's Promise
- O-Organics
- President's Choice
- Simple Truth
- Sprouts
- Trader Joe's
- Raley's
- Wegmans
- Wholesome Pantry
"If you have these products in your home, do not eat or use them, throw them away, and clean and sanitize surfaces they touched," the FDA notice reads. "Consumers concerned about an illness should contact a medical professional."
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The FDA states that E. coli bacterium can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. It can also cause "severe bloody diarrhea conditions, such as a hemolytic uremic syndrome, or the development of high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, and neurologic problems," the agency warns. The CDC notes that no one has reported hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can cause kidney failure.
Most people who get sick with this kind of E. coli have "severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting," according to the CDC. While most people will get better without treatment, you should call your healthcare provider if you have diarrhea and a fever higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit, diarrhea for more than three days that doesn't improve, bloody diarrhea, vomiting to the point where you can't keep liquids down, or signs of dehydration such as lack of urination, dry mouth or throat, or feeling dizzy when you stand.
Symptoms can appear anywhere between 24 hours and 10 days, but most people who get sick do so within three to four days.
Both the CDC and the FDA agree that the true number of illnesses is probably higher than the current count. This is because some people may get sick and recover without medical care and also because it can take three to four weeks to determine if an illness is connected to an outbreak.
