An E. coli outbreak linked to organic carrots has led to a widespread recall, according to an announcement by Grimmway Farms, affecting popular retail chains such as Publix, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s. The recall, which covers both baby and whole carrots, comes in the wake of reports of 39 people falling ill across 18 states, 15 of whom have been hospitalized, and one reported death. These reports were confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as stated in aABC News article.
In a statement obtained byCBS12, Grimmway Farms, which houses several brand labels under its umbrella, issued a comprehensive list detailing the affected products and their distribution, covering the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada. The CDC warned that previously purchased products, sold between August 14 and October 23, for whole carrots and September 11 through last Tuesday, for baby carrots, may already be in customers’ homes, spelling potential risks for contamination beyond the point of sale.
Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, the strain responsible for the outbreak, can lead to serious health complications, particularly in young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Jeff Huckaby, president and CEO of Grimmway Farms, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to consumer safety in a response to the outbreak, saying, “We take our role in ensuring the safety and quality of our products seriously,”according to ABC News. He further stated, “The health of our customers and the integrity of our products are our highest priorities, and we are conducting a thorough review of our growing, harvest, and processing practices. Our food safety team is working with our suppliers and health authorities.”
The symptoms of E. coli infection include severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting, and consumers who have bought the implicated carrots are urged to discard them immediately. The FDA has identified multiple product brands under the recall, with a broad span of packaging sizes, from 12-ounce bags to 25-pound bags, emphasizing that none of the recalled carrots have tested positive for E. coli. The step to voluntarily recall the potentially contaminated carrots was taken after Grimmway Farms notified customers directly and suggested that they also notify their distributors, as mentioned in the Grimmway Farms news release, and reiterated byCBS12.
Consumers with affected products or concerns can reach out to Grimmway Farms’ customer service desk at 1-800-301-3101 or visit their website for more information. As the situation unfolds, additional updates and guidance are expected from both Grimmway Farms and the CDC.
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