E. Coli outbreak linked to organic carrots sold at Trader Joe’s, Wegmans

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 a Nov. 17 alert.

The CDC reported that 15 people have been hospitalized and one person has died. The public health agency said interviews showed those who were infected consumed organic carrots and baby carrots from Grimmway Farms.

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 posted a complete list of retailers that sell both types of carrots on its website.

The recalled whole-bag organic carrots do not have an expiration date, but the FDA says the items were sold from August 14 to October 23. The organic baby carrots have an expiration date. runs from September 11 to November 12. The carrots are no longer allowed on supermarket shelves.

Anyone who has recently purchased Grimmway Farms carrots is advised to throw them away immediately, the CDC said. Customers should then use hot soapy water or dishwater to clean any objects or surfaces that came into contact with the roots.

The warning came a day after Grimmway Farms discussed the recall in a press release on its website.

Jeff Huckaby, president and CEO of Grimmway Farms, said in a statement that the company is reviewing its “growing, harvesting 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 lead to the development of serious kidney disease.

According to the CDC, symptoms typically appear about three to four days after consuming the infected food. Those who experience symptoms of an E.coli infection should seek medical attention.

The Grimmway Farms recall follows a wave of recent recalls and outbreaks across the country. Data from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration shows that the number of recalls in the U.S. has steadily increased in recent years.

“There has 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 relies on much more global sourcing of ingredients, so you increase the potential for problems.”

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