The FDA is recalling organic whole carrots and baby carrots linked to a multi-state E. Coli outbreak

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is recalling several brands of organic whole carrots and organic baby carrots after they were discovered to be contaminated with “Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli,” also known as E. Coli.

On Saturday, November 16, Grimmway Farms issued a recall for its products. Importantly, the company and the FDA noted in the recall that the carrots “may no longer be in grocery stores, but may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers.”

It added that these products may be contaminated with E. coli, a “bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.” Symptoms of an E. coli infection, the FDA explained, can include “severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea and/or vomiting.” Symptoms are usually present between 24 hours and up to 10 days after infection.

The recalled products were shipped to distribution centers in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada and, according to the FDA, include the following:

• Organic whole carrots, which do not have an expiration date printed on the bag, but which were available in stores from August 14 to October 23, 2024.
• Organic baby carrots with an expiration date ranging from September 11 to November 12, 2024. The recalled carrots may not be for sale in stores, but may be in the consumer’s refrigerator or freezer.

The carrots were sold under various brand names, including 365, Bunny Luv, Cal-Organic, Compliments, Full Circle, Good & Gather, GreenWise, Grimmway Farms, Marketside, Nature’s Promise, O Organics, President’s Choice, Raley’s, Nature’s Promise, Simple Truth , Sprouts, Trader Joe’s, Wegmans and Healthy Pantry.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the roots may be the cause of a multi-state E. coli outbreak that sickened 39 people in 18 states, hospitalized 15 people and caused one death in California.

The FDA reiterated that the carrots should no longer be in stores; However, if you have them in your refrigerator or freezer, they should not be consumed. Instead, the FDA noted that they should be “destroyed or thrown away so that they cannot be consumed. If you have these products in your home, do not eat or use them, throw them away, and clean and disinfect the surfaces that have them touched.”

It added that any consumers concerned that they may have come into contact with the roots and are sick should contact a medical professional immediately.