Death Reported in E. coli Outbreak Linked to Nationally Distributed Organic Carrots
Image credit: mrsiraphol via Freepik
As of November 17, 2024, a multistate outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O121:H19 infections (STEC O121:H19) linked to organic carrots has sickened 39 people, resulting in 15 hospitalizations and one death.
Whole and baby carrots produced by California-based Grimmway Farms and sold under a variety of brand names have been identified as the source of the outbreak. A voluntary recall has been initiated by Grimmway Farms, which includes carrots that were available for purchase at retail stores between August 14 and October 23, and were sold under the brands 365, Bunny Luv, Cal-Organic, Compliments, Full Circle, Good and Gather, GreenWise, Marketside, Nature’s Promise, O Organic, President’s Choice, Simple Truth, Trader Joe’s, Wegmans, and Wholesome Pantry.
The implicated carrots were distributed nationwide. States in which illnesses have been reported include Arkansas, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming.
Of the 27 case patients interviewed, 26 (96 percent) reported eating carrots. Grimmway Farms was identified as the common supplier of organic whole and baby carrots in the outbreak through traceback investigation conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). FDA is working Grimmway Farms to determine the source of contamination and whether additional products are affected.
Update, November 20, 2024: The Government of Canada has initiated its own recall of Grimmway Farms carrots sold under various brand names across the country.
Update, November 21, 2024: FDA found that, in addition to Canada, implicated carrots from Grimmway Farms were distributed to Puerto Rico, Colombia, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates. Grimmway Farms has directly notified international customers who received recalled products.
Update, December 19, 2024: The outbreak is now over. The outbreak strain of E. coli was not found in environmental samples, but FDA maintains that traceback evidence points to the recalled Grimmway Farms carrots as the likely source of illnesses in the outbreak.
Looking for quick answers on food safety topics?
Try Ask FSM, our new smart AI search tool.
Ask FSM →
