E. coli Outbreak Linked to Organic Carrots Kills One

NEW YORK — An E. coli outbreak linked to bagged organic carrots has sickened 39 people, resulting in one fatality, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC reported on Sunday that the outbreak affected individuals who consumed organic whole and baby carrots marketed by Grimmway Farms.

Grimmway Farms, located in Bakersfield, California, distributed these carrots under various brand names, including 365, Cal-Organic, Nature’s Promise, O-Organics, Trader Joe’s, and Wegmans, among others.

While these carrots have been removed from store shelves, the CDC urges consumers to discard any recalled bagged carrots they may have at home. The majority of those infected reside in New York, Minnesota, and Washington, with additional cases reported in California, Oregon, and across the nation.

This is one of several recent E. coli outbreaks. In October, over 100 McDonald’s customers experienced illness due to E. coli-contaminated slivered onions. In June, an E. coli outbreak in the U.K., traced to lettuce, claimed one life and sickened at least 275 individuals. In April, organic walnuts contaminated with E. coli caused illnesses in 19 states.

Despite these recent events, experts maintain that the food supply remains generally safe.

The recalled organic baby carrots bear best-by dates ranging from September 11th to November 12th, as per the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

E. coli symptoms, typically appearing three to four days post-ingestion, include severe stomach cramps, often bloody diarrhea, and vomiting. Individuals experiencing severe symptoms should seek medical attention and inform their healthcare provider about their recent food consumption, advises the CDC.

The FDA notes that E. coli infections can be severe, even fatal, particularly for young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems.