NEW YORK — Public health officials are investigating a multistate E. coli outbreak that has been linked to multiple recalled brands of organic carrots and has sickened up to eight people in New York.
Grimmway Farms recalled multiple sizes and brands of packaged organic whole carrots and baby carrots on Nov. 16 because they may be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. The carrots were sold at a variety of retailers, including Target, Trader Joe's, Walmart, Wegmans and Whole Foods.
A total of 39 people nationwide have become ill after contracting E. coli from this outbreak, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One person from California died and 15 were hospitalized.
“The recalled carrots should no longer be available for purchase, but may be in consumers' refrigerators or freezers,” the Food and Drug Administration added.
For bags of organic baby carrots, the best-before date ranged from September 11 to November 12.
Brands selling these carrots included 365, Bunny Luv, Cal-Organic, Compliments, Full Circle, Good & Gather, GreenWise, Grimmway Farms, Marketside, Nature's Promise, O-Organic, President's Choice, Raley's, Simple Truth, Sprouts, Trader Joe's, Wegmans, Wholesome Pantry.
Packages of whole organic carrots were available for purchase in stores from Aug. 14 to Oct. 23, according to the CDC. Brands distributing these carrots included 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 .
There were no better dates if used in the bags of organic whole carrots, the recall states.
Consumers are asked not to eat these carrots if they still have some in their refrigerator or freezer and to either throw them away or return them to the store. The CDC also advises consumers to wash any items and surfaces that may have touched the recalled carrots, using warm, soapy water or the dishwasher.
E. coli can cause serious symptoms, including high fever, diarrhea, persistent vomiting, and dehydration. Anyone experiencing any of these symptoms is advised to contact their healthcare provider.
The CDC also said the actual number of patients in the outbreak is likely much higher than reported and that it takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine whether a sick person is part of an outbreak.
Illnesses have also been reported in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, Arkansas, Texas, Colorado, Wyoming, California, Oregon and Washington.
