Grimmway Farms recalled organic carrots after the product was linked to an E. coli outbreak that has infected 39 people from 18 states, the Centers for Disease Control said in an alert Nov. 17.
The CDC reported that 15 people have been hospitalized and one person has died. The public health agency said that interviews determined those who had been infected consumed Grimmway Farms organic whole bagged carrots and baby carrots.
Some of the stores where the organic whole carrots and baby carrots were sold include Trader Joe’s, 365 (Whole Foods Market) and Wegmans. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has included a full list of retailers that sold both types of carrots on its website.
The recalled organic whole bagged carrots do not have a best-if-used-by date, but the FDA said the items were sold from Aug. 14 to Oct. 23. The organic baby carrots have a best-if-used-by date extending from Sept. 11 to Nov. 12. The carrots should no longer be on grocery store shelves.
Any person who recently purchased the Grimmway Farms carrots is advised to immediately throw them away, the CDC said. Customers should then use hot soapy water or dishwater to cleanse any items or surfaces that came into contact with the carrots.
The alert came a day after Grimmway Farms addressed the recall in a press release on its website.
Grimmway Farms President and CEO Jeff Huckaby said in a statement that the company is reviewing its “growing, harvest and processing practices.”
“Our food safety team is working with our suppliers and health authorities,” Huckaby said.
Symptoms of infection with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting, according to the CDC. Shiga toxin-producing E. coli can also also lead to developing a serious kidney condition.
Symptoms typically appear about three to four days after consuming the infected food, according to the CDC. Those who are experiencing symptoms of an E.coli infection should seek medical attention.
The Grimmway Farms recall follows a wave of recent recalls and outbreaks around the country. Data from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration shows that the number of recalls in the U.S. has been steadily increasing over the last few years.
“There’s been a 20-25% increase in recalls over the last two to three years,” Darin Detwiler, professor of food regulatory policy at Northeastern University, previously said in an interview with TODAY.com.
Detwiler later explained, “Our food industry is relying on way more global sourcing of ingredients, so you’re increasing the chances for issues.”
This article was originally published on TODAY.com
