Urgent Recall: One Dead, 15 Hospitalized in E. Coli Outbreak Linked to Organic Carrots Sold at Major Retailers

Health officials are investigating yet another E. coli outbreak, now linked to organic bagged carrots sold across the country at major retailers, including Walmart and Target. 

Here is everything you need to know. 

Nearly 40 people across 18 states have gotten sick, and one person has died after eating organic carrots distributed by Grimmway Farms, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced in a statement on Nov. 17. 

On Nov. 16, the California-based supplier issued an urgent recall for its organic whole and baby bagged carrots with best-if-used-by dates ranging from Sept. 11 to Nov. 12, 2024.  

So far, 15 hospitalizations and one death have been reported in California, with Washington, Minnesota, and New York among the states with the highest number of cases. 

The CDC warns the actual number of illnesses may be higher as many people recover without seeking medical care. 

The contaminated carrots were distributed across the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada at major retailers, including Walmart, Target, Whole Foods Market, and Trader Joe's. 

The recalled baby organic carrots have best-if-used-by dates between Sept. 11, 2024, and Nov. 12, 2024. However, the whole organic carrots don’t have printed dates on the packaging but were sold from Aug. 14, 2024, to Oct. 23, 2024.  

Organic Whole Carrots

• 365: 1 lb., 2 lb., 5 lb.
• Bunny Luv: 1 lb., 2 lb., 5 lb., 10 lb., 25 lb.
• Cal-Organic: 1 lb., 2 lb., 5 lb., 6 lb., 10 lb., 25 lb.
• Compliments: 2 lb.
• Full Circle: 1 lb., 2 lb., 5 lb.
• Good & Gather: 2 lb.
• GreenWise: 1 lb., 25 lb.
• Marketside: 2 lb.
• Nature’s Promise: 1 lb., 5 lb.
• O-Organics: 1 lb., 2 lb., 5 lb., 10 lb.
• President’s Choice: 2 lb.
• Simple Truth: 1 lb., 2 lb., 5 lb.
• Trader Joe’s: 1 lb.
• Wegmans: 1 lb., 2 lb., 5 lb.
• Wholesome Pantry: 1 lb., 2 lb., 5 lb.

Organic Baby Carrots (Cut and Peeled)

• 365: 12oz, 1 lb., 2 lb. (Best-by: SEP 11 24 – NOV 02 24)
• Bunny Luv: 1 lb., 2 lb., 3 lb., 5 lb. (Best-by: SEP 11 24 – NOV 12 24)
• Cal-Organic: 12oz, 1 lb., 2 lb., 2pk/2 lb. (Best-by: SEP 11 24 – NOV 02 24)
• Compliments: 1 lb. (Best-by: SEP 14 24 – OCT 24 24)
• Full Circle: 1 lb. (Best-by: SEP 14 24 – OCT 24 24)
• Good & Gather: 12oz, 1 lb. (Best-by: SEP 14 24 – NOV 02 24)
• GreenWise: 1 lb. (Best-by: SEP 11 24 – OCT 26 24)
• Grimmway Farms: 25 lb. bag (Best-by: SEP 11 24 – OCT 03 24)
• Marketside: 12oz, 1 lb., 2 lb. (Best-by: SEP 11 24 – NOV 02 24)
• Nature’s Promise: 1 lb. (Best-by: SEP 13 24 – OCT 25 24)
• O-Organics: 12oz, 1 lb., 2 lb. (Best-by: SEP 11 24 – NOV 02 24)
• President’s Choice: 1 lb., 2 lb. (Best-by: SEP 11 24 – NOV 02 24)
• Raley’s: 1 lb. (Best-by: SEP 14 24 – OCT 23 24)
• Simple Truth: 1 lb., 2 lb. (Best-by: SEP 14 24 – NOV 02 24)
• Sprouts: 1 lb., 2 lb. (Best-by: SEP 13 24 – NOV 04 24)
• Trader Joe’s: 1 lb. (Best-by: SEP 13 24 – NOV 04 24)
• Wegmans: 12oz, 1 lb., 2 lb. (Best-by: SEP 14 24 – NOV 02 24)
• Wholesome Pantry: 1 lb., 2 lb. (Best-by: SEP 16 24 – NOV 07 24)

Grimmway Farms advises consumers to check their refrigerators for any of the recalled products. "If you have these products in your home, do not eat or use them; throw them away and clean and sanitize any surfaces they touched. Consumers concerned about an illness should contact a medical professional," the company stated.

Symptoms of E. coli infection typically develop within 24 hours to 10 days of exposure. Common symptoms include severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Children younger than 5, older adults, and those with compromised immune systems are most at risk of developing complications from E. coli infection, such as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

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