Photo: Food and Drug Administration
Grimmway Farms, a California-based carrot producer, has voluntarily recalled some of its organic whole and baby carrots due to potential E. coli contamination. The carrots were sold at Trader Joe's and Wegmans, among other retailers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that the carrots may be linked to an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, which can cause severe stomach cramps, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea. The most vulnerable to this strain of E. coli are children under five and the elderly.
The recalled carrots were shipped to distribution centers in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico and sold under various labels, including Trader Joe's, Wegmans, Bunny-luv, Nature's Promise, Simple Truth, and 365. The whole carrots were sold in stores from August 14 through October 23, 2024, while the baby carrots have best-if-used-by-dates ranging from September 11 to November 12, 2024.
The CDC advises consumers to check their refrigerators and dispose of any affected products. Surfaces that may have come into contact with the recalled carrots should be cleaned with hot, soapy water or a dishwasher.
"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," Grimmway Farms President and CEO Jeff Huckaby said in a statement.
The CDC reported 39 E. coli cases across 18 states in connection to the outbreak, with one death and 15 hospitalizations..