Grimmway Farms this week recalled select organic whole carrots and baby carrots because they may be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli.
Although the announcement stated that stores should have removed the carrots from sale by now, it is entirely possible that people still have them at home. They are sold under multiple brand names, according to the manufacturers.
So far, 39 cases of E. coli have been linked to the outbreak in many states, including one death. The states where people got sick include Washington, Minnesota and New York, which each had the most cases at five to eight cases. Three to four cases were reported each in Oregon and California. The other states, each with one or two cases, were Arkansas, Colorado, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas and Wyoming.
There is no guarantee that washing carrots will eliminate the risk of E. coli. The same goes for freezing it. The vegetables should not be consumed. Instead, consumers are being told to check and throw away their refrigerators and freezers. Any surfaces that have come into contact with it should also be cleaned and disinfected.
E. coli is a disease caused by bacteria that is especially dangerous for young children, older adults, and people with compromised immune systems. It can cause severe and bloody diarrhea, fever, nausea and vomiting. In very severe cases, people can develop high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, hemolytic uremic syndrome, and neurological problems.
E. coli can be very dangerous.
Different brand names
Brands in the recall include 365, Bunny Luv, Cal-Organic, Compliments, Full Circle, GreenWise, Marketside, Nature’s Promise, O-Organics, President’s Choice, Simple Truth, Trader Joe’s, Wegmans and Wholesome Pantry. All recalled carrots are bagged, some cut and peeled and others whole. There are also bags of carrots in different sizes, depending on the brand.
The best way to find out if your bag of carrots has been recalled is to go to the store Notice from the US Food and Drug Administration and view the expiration dates.
The organic whole carrots have no expiration date, but were on sale from August 14 to October 23.
The expiration dates for organic baby carrots range from September 11 to November 12.