More than a dozen brands are recalling bags of organic carrots that were sold in 18 states for potential E. coli contamination, federal officials announced.
An E. coli outbreak in multiple states tied to the carrots is being investigated by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the agency said in a statement. One person has died and 15 have been hospitalized in connection to the outbreak.
Grimmway Farms recalled multiple brands of bagged organic baby and whole carrots. The affected brands are more than likely no longer in stores, but could still be found in people's homes.
Whole carrots that were affected were available to purchase from Aug. 14 to Oct. 23, according to the CDC. They do not have best-if-used-by dates. Baby carrots, however, have best-if-used-by dates that range between Sept. 11 to Nov. 12 of this year.
The CDC advises not to eat the recalled carrots. The agency encourages consumers to check their refrigerators and dispose of any affected products. For items and surfaces that may have touched the recalled carrots, wash them using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.
There have been several E. coli outbreaks in recent months. In October, more than 100 McDonald’s customers were sickened by an E. coli outbreak in the U.S. linked to slivered onions. In the U.K., one person died in an E. coli outbreak in June linked to lettuce that sickened at least 275 people. Organic walnuts sickened consumers in 19 states with E. coli infections in April.
Symptoms of E. coli infection usually start three to four days after eating the bacteria and include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, which is often bloody, and vomiting. People with severe symptoms of an E. coli infection should seek medical attention and tell the provider what they ate, the CDC said.
The bacteria E. coli can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, elderly people and those with weakened immune systems, according to the FDA.
Here are the organic whole carrots being recalled, along with their bag sizes. Products were available for purchase at retailers between Aug. 14 and Oct. 23:
Here are the cut-and-peeled organic baby carrots being recalled, along with their bag sizes and best-if-used-by dates.
Read more at usatoday.com.
Contributing: Associated Press
