A deadly outbreak of E. coli has affected dozens of people across the U.S. after they consumed bagged organic carrots, leading to one fatality and multiple hospitalizations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported on Sunday that 39 individuals in 18 states had contracted the infection, with 15 hospitalized.
The outbreak has been traced back to organic whole and baby carrots sold by Grimmway Farms, based in Bakersfield, California. The company has issued a recall for the affected carrots, which were sold under several brand names, including 365, Cal-Organic, Nature’s Promise, O-Organics, Trader Joe’s, and Wegmans.
Consumers are being urged not to consume any of the recalled bagged carrots and to check their refrigerators or freezers for affected products. The CDC confirmed that while the carrots are no longer available in stores, individuals may still have purchased them in the past. The outbreak has been most concentrated in New York, Minnesota, and Washington, with additional cases reported in California, Oregon, and across the country.
This latest E. coli outbreak is part of a worrying trend of foodborne illnesses. Previous outbreaks include a similar incident in October, when over 100 McDonald’s customers in the U.S. were infected by E. coli from contaminated slivered onions. In the U.K., a June outbreak linked to lettuce led to one death and over 275 cases of illness. In April, organic walnuts were also linked to an E. coli outbreak affecting 19 states.
Despite these recurrent outbreaks, experts maintain that the overall food supply remains safe, though progress on addressing E. coli infections has been limited.
The recalled carrots have best-by dates ranging from September 11 through November 12, as indicated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Symptoms of an E. coli infection typically appear three to four days after consumption and include severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting. The CDC advises individuals experiencing these symptoms to seek medical attention immediately and inform healthcare providers about the food they consumed.
E. coli infections can lead to severe and sometimes fatal complications, especially for young children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems, the FDA warns. Authorities continue to monitor the situation as they work to prevent further spread of the infection.