E. coli outbreak linked to organic carrots sickens people in 18 states

One person has died and at least 38 people have become ill following an E. coli outbreak linked to organic carrots, according to federal health officials.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Sunday that cases emerged between Sept. 6 and Oct. 28 across 18 states, with Washington, Minnesota and New York reporting the highest number of cases.

The CDC warned that the outbreak may have reached additional states and the actual number of infected individuals is likely much higher than reported.

This map shows the locations of the 39 individuals reported sick by the current E. coli outbreak. The CDC said the true number of infected individuals is likely much higher.
This map shows the locations of the 39 individuals reported sick by the current E. coli outbreak. The CDC said the true number of infected individuals is likely much higher. (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

“This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for E. coli.,” the agency said in a statement.

Investigations indicate that Grimmway Farms was the common supplier of the organic carrots consumed by individuals before they got sick, according to the CDC. On Saturday, Grimmway Farms — which is one of the world’s largest producers of carrots — initiated a recall for multiple sizes and brands of its organic baby and whole carrots.

That includes baby organic carrots with best-if-used-by dates that ranged from Sept. 11 to Nov. 12 and whole organic carrots that were sold in stores around Aug. 14 to Oct. 23.

The recall applies to carrots sold at Trader Joe’s, Wegmans, Sprouts, 365 from Whole Foods, Good & Gather from Target, Marketside from Walmart, GreenWise from Publix, Simple Truth from Kroger, and more. A full list is available on the FDA website.

Grimmway Farms, based in Bakersfield, Calif., said the recalled items are likely no longer sold in grocery stores, but they may be in customers’ refrigerators or freezers. The company urged that customers with recalled carrots should discard them and sanitize any surfaces they touched.

Grimmway Farms added that the implicated farms are out of production.

The CDC said E. coli infections can cause diarrhea, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, sepsis, and other illnesses. Symptoms usually show up three to four days after the bacteria is consumed. Most people recover on their own after five to seven days.

However, the infection can sometimes result in a serious health condition called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can lead to kidney failure, permanent health problems, and even death.

The Food and Drug Administration said the recalled products may have been contaminated with the Shiga toxin-producing type of E. coli. So far, of the 38 cases reviewed by the CDC, none have developed HUS.

 

Trump taps FCC’s Brendan Carr to lead the agency

Carr was seen as a pretty conventional Republican with a pro-corporate outlook for most of his career. More recently, he has embraced Trumpian themes about social media, tech and television companies.

No planes and no ‘spoilers.’ How one man trekked from Egypt to Japan without flying

Omar Nok is at the finish line of a 28,000-mile zig-zag route that began in February. Here's how he approached the adventure, without setting foot on a plane.

Bela Karolyi, legendary and controversial gymnastics coach, dies at 82

Bela Karolyi coached several renowned gymnasts, including Mary Lou Retton, Kerri Strug and Julianne McNamara. But he was known for harsh methods of training.

Biden marks his climate legacy during Amazon visit, asserting ‘nobody’ can reverse it

"Some may seek to deny or delay the clean energy revolution that's underway in America, but nobody — nobody — can reverse it," Biden said. But Trump has vowed to roll back those plans.

In a first, Biden allows Ukraine to strike Russia with U.S. long-range weapons

The U.S. is allowing Ukraine to use the powerful long-range weapons to strike in and around Kursk — the same region where some 10,000 North Korean troops were recently deployed.

A rare Israeli strike on central Beirut kills Hezbollah’s spokesman, official says

A rare Israeli airstrike on central Beirut killed Hezbollah's chief spokesman on Sunday, an official with the militant group said. Earlier, Israeli strikes killed at least 12 in the Gaza Strip.

More Front Page Coverage