The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other officials in several US states are currently investigating a multistate outbreak of infections caused by a pathogenic strain of E. coli known as O121:H19. This bacterium generates Shiga toxin, which causes diarrhea, and sometimes more serious symptoms. This outbreak has been linked to multiple brands of organic, whole, bagged carrots and baby carrots that are sold by Grimmway Farms, and have now been recalled.
There has been one death and fifteen hospitalizations associated with this outbreak. Washington state is most affected with eight cases, while New York and Minnesota each have five cases.
It is unlikely that carrots that are now being sold in stores are affected by this outbreak, so they should be safe to purchase at this time.
However, the CDC is advising consumers to check for recalled carrots in their homes. The recall was issued on November 16, 2024, and concerns carrots with a best-if-used-by date that ranges from September 11, 2024 to November 12, 2024. These carrots would likely have been sold between August 14, 2024 and October 23, 2024.
The brands that are affected include: 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, and Wholesome Pantry.
If these carrots are found, they should not be eaten, and they should be thrown out or returned to the store. Any surfaces that were touched by these carrots should be cleaned and sanitized thoroughly.
Symptoms of E. coli infections may arise three to seven days after consuming foods contaminated with the bacterial pathogen. Cattle are the natural hosts for this strain of bacteria, and humans are usually infected by eating foods contaiminated with cattle feces.
Shuga-toxin producinng strains of E. coli can cause infections that lead to nausea and vomiting. In severe cases, a fever above 102ºF (38.3ºC) may develop; in such cases patients are advised to seek medical attention. Other serious symptoms include vomiting so severe that liquids won't stay down, dizziness, and bloody diarrhea that continues for more than three days without improvement.
Most people who are infected will recover within about a week, but others could develop complications such as kidney problems. These complications are more likely in people who are very young or very old, and those with weakened immune systems.
According to Forbes, over 60 percent of the carrots sold in the United States are produced by only two companies: Grimmway and Bolthouse. Their reporting describes the massive amount of water that these companies use in California communities where their farms are located.
The co-founder and CEO of the private equity firm that now owns Bolthouse: Butterfly Equity, told Forbes that, “There’s only two sources. We joke around — it’s kind of like the OPEC of carrots.”
