By Dominic Genetti, Jacksonville Journal-Courier, Ill. The Tribune Content Agency
Grimmway Farms has recalled its variations of organic carrots after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported several E. coli illnesses.
The carrots are sold under various brand names at grocery chains and major retailers such as Walmart, Target, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Publix, Albertsons and Kroger. According to the CDC, there have been 39 cases across 18 states with 15 hospitalizations and one death. This includes single cases in Missouri, Michigan and Texas. The state with the most cases is Washington with eight.
Both the baby organic carrots and whole organic carrots are the recalled products from Grimmway Farms. The baby organic carrots are sold under the following brand names:
The whole organic carrots were sold under the following brand names:
"The recalled carrots should no longer be available for purchase but may be in consumers' refrigerators or freezers. Consumers who purchased carrots in the table above and still have them in their refrigerator or freezer should not consume them; they should be destroyed or discarded so they cannot be consumed," a press release from Grimmway Farms reads.
In its notice, the CDC describes the symptoms of E. Coli writing, "Most people infected with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli experience severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. Symptoms usually start 3 to 4 days after swallowing the bacteria.
"Most people recover without treatment after 5 to 7 days. Some people may develop serious kidney problems (hemolytic uremic syndrome, also called HUS) and would need to be hospitalized."