Health officials are investigating a deadly E. Coli outbreak they suspect is linked to organic carrots that were sold nationwide.
One person has died and dozens of others are ill across 18 states, including Michigan. Grimmway Farms recalled multiple brands of bagged organic whole and baby carrots on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.
The carrots were shipped nationwide in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada. Officials said the carrots are no longer in grocery stores, but may be in customers’ refrigerators or freezers.
Brands of recalled carrots
Organic whole carrots do not have a best-if-used-by date printed on the bag, but they were available for purchase at stores from Aug. 14, 2024, through Oct. 23, 2024.
They were sold under the following brand names: 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, Wholesome Pantry
Organic baby carrots do have a best-if-used-by date printed on the bags and those dates range from Sept. 11 to Nov. 12, 2024.
They were sold under the following brand names: 365, Bunny Luv, Cal-Organic, Compliments, Full Circle, Good & Gather, GreenWise, Grimmway Farms, Kroger, LIDL, Marketside, Nature’s Promise, O Organic, President’s Choice, Raley’s, Simple Truth, Sprouts, Trader Joe’s, Wegmans, Wholesome Pantry.
The carrots were sold nationwide, but are likely no longer available for sale in stores. The full list of recalled carrots with photos of the bags are available at FDA.gov.
Symptoms of E. coli-related illness
Symptoms vary from person to person but often include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting.
Some people have a fever, which is usually not very high. Most people feel better within five to seven days. Some infections are mild, but others are severe or even life-threatening.
Symptoms usually appear three to four days after the exposure but may appear in just one day or as long as 10 days. Young children and older adults may be more likely to experience severe illness.
Around 5% to 10% of people diagnosed with an infection develop hemolytic uremic syndrome, which appears seven days after symptoms begin, often when diarrhea is improving. Symptoms include decreased frequency of urination, feeling very tired and losing color in cheeks and inside the lower eyelids.
If you have symptoms, you should contact your doctor immediately. Your doctor should contact their local health department to report suspected or confirmed cases to the state.