A fatality and numerous severe illnesses have been linked to E.coli contamination in bagged carrots.
Grimmway Farms, a distributor based in California, has initiated a recall of specific organic whole and baby carrots due to the outbreak.
The farm supplies products under various brand names across the US, including Trader Joe’s.
According to PBS News, as of November 17, 39 individuals across 18 states have been infected after consuming the carrots, with 15 requiring hospitalization. Sky News reported that one person has died.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that the outbreak originated between September 7 and October 28, with Washington, Minnesota, and New York experiencing the most cases.
The CDC warned in a statement: “This outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses, and the true number of sick people is likely much higher than the number reported. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for E. coli.”
There are multiple strains of E.coli, the CDC notes, and symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and fever.
Grimmway Farms has responded to the situation with a statement.
In a press release issued on November 16, the company stated: “Grimmway Farms has issued a recall of select organic whole carrots and organic baby carrots that should no longer be in grocery stores but may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers.
“These products may have been contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) O121:H19. E. coli O121:H19 is a bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, elderly people, and those with a weakened immune system.”
UNILAD has reached out to Grimmway Farms for additional comments.
This incident is the most recent E.coli outbreak affecting the US, following hundreds of McDonald’s patrons falling ill from onions supplied to the chain.
The onions were sourced from Taylors Farms, another California-based producer.
In that instance, Colorado reported 30 cases, Montana 19, Nebraska 13, and New Mexico 10, with illnesses occurring between September 12 and October 21. Federal health officials reported that 104 people fell ill, and 34 were hospitalized.
McDonald’s has since announced a $100 million initiative to encourage customers to return to their establishments.
The company plans to allocate $65 million to support the most affected franchises.