Deadly E. Coli Outbreak Sickens NJ Residents, Prompts Carrot Recall

NEW JERSEY – Public health officials are investigating a multi-state E. coli outbreak that has been linked to several brands of recalled organic carrots and has sickened at least two people in New Jersey.

Grimmway Farms recalled several sizes and brands of bags of organic whole and baby carrots on Nov. 16 because they may be contaminated with a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. The carrots were sold at a number of retailers, including Target, Trader Joe’s, Walmart, Wegmans and Whole Foods.

A total of 39 people have become ill nationwide after contracting E. coli from this outbreak, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One person from California died and 15 had to be hospitalized.

“The recalled carrots should no longer be available for purchase but may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers,” the Food and Drug Administration added.

For bags of organic baby carrots, the best-if-used date was from September 11 to November 12.

Brands that sell these carrots include 365, Bunny Luv, Cal-Organic, Compliments, Full Circle, Good & Gather, GreenWise, Grimmway Farms, Marketside, Nature’s Promise, O-Organic, President’s Choice, Raley’s, Simple Truth, Sprouts, Trader Joe’s, Wegmans, Healthy Pantry.

Packages of whole organic carrots could be purchased in stores from Aug. 14 to Oct. 23, according to the CDC. The brands that distributed these carrots included 365, Bunny Luv, Cal-Organic, Compliments, Full Circle, Good & Gather, GreenWise, Marketside, Nature’s Promise, O-Organic, President’s Choice, Simple Truth, Trader Joe’s, Wegmans and Wholesome Pantry .

There were no best-if-used-by dates on the bags of organic whole carrots, the recall states.

Consumers are asked not to eat these carrots if they still have some in their refrigerator or freezer, and to either throw them out or return them to the store. The CDC also recommends that consumers wash all items and surfaces that may have touched the recalled carrots using warm, soapy water or the dishwasher.

E. coli can cause severe symptoms, including high fever, diarrhea, consistent vomiting, and dehydration. Anyone experiencing any of these symptoms is advised to call their doctor.

The CDC also said that the true number of sick people in the outbreak is likely much higher than reported, and that it takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.

Illnesses have also been reported in Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, Arkansas, Texas, Colorado, Wyoming, California, Oregon and Washington.