The recent outbreak of E. coli O121:H19, linked to organic carrots from Grimmway Farms, has expanded to include products sold at Whole Foods Market. This outbreak, affecting individuals across 18 states, has led to hospitalizations and even one fatality, highlighting the importance of food safety awareness.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) initially announced the outbreak last weekend, tracing the source to Grimmway Farms, a major supplier of organic carrots. Following the announcement, Grimmway Farms initiated a recall of numerous whole and baby carrot products sold under various brand names and at different retailers, including Wegmans and Trader Joe’s.
This week, the recall expanded to include additional product sizes from Grimmway Farms. Furthermore, Fabalish Inc. and F&S Fresh Foods issued their own recalls of products containing potentially contaminated carrots supplied by Grimmway. Specifically, F&S Fresh Foods recalled Whole Foods Market branded 15 oz. Organic Carrot Sticks and 15 oz. Organic Carrots & Celery. A comprehensive list of recalled products is available on the FDA website.
As of November 22nd, the CDC reports at least 39 illnesses, 15 hospitalizations, and one death associated with this outbreak. The E. coli strain, O121:H19, produces toxins that can lead to serious complications, such as hemolytic–uremic syndrome (HUS), which can cause kidney and other organ damage. The actual number of affected individuals is likely higher, as many E. coli cases go unreported due to individuals not seeking medical care.
While the recalled products were distributed nationwide, the immediate risk to consumers is likely low, as contaminated products are probably no longer available for purchase. However, there’s still a possibility of contracting E. coli from contaminated carrots stored in refrigerators. Raw carrots can remain fresh for up to a month, depending on storage conditions, posing a continued risk.
The FDA urges consumers to check their refrigerators and discard any recalled carrot products. They advise against consuming any organic whole or baby carrots stored without original packaging if the brand is unknown. Thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing surfaces that may have come into contact with the recalled products is also recommended.
This carrot-related outbreak follows a separate E. coli outbreak linked to contaminated onions used on McDonald’s Quarter Pounders. Though that outbreak has subsided after the removal of the tainted onions, McDonald’s continues to face legal action related to the incident.
The FDA provides a complete list of recalled products and safety recommendations on their website. Consumers are encouraged to review this information and take necessary precautions to protect themselves and their families.
