WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (AP) – An outbreak of E. coli has killed one person and infected dozens of others who ate bagged organic carrots.
The CDC says 39 people were infected and 15 were hospitalized in 18 states after eating the organic whole and baby carrots sold by California-based Grimmway Farms.
Grimmway Farms has recalled the carrots, which were sold in bags under multiple brand names including 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 and Wholesome Pantry.
The carrots are no longer in stores, but the CDC is warning consumers not to eat recalled bag carrots, to check their refrigerators or freezers and to throw away any carrots that fit the description.
Most of the infected people live in New York, Minnesota and Washington, followed by California and Oregon. Whatcom County Health and Community Services (WCHCS) says that so far, 8 people have been infected in Washington and there have been no cases reported in Whatcom County.
The recalled organic baby carrots have best-by dates ranging from Sept. 11 through Nov. 12. Though the carrots are not likely to still be sold in stores, WCHCS says that the carrots may be in people’s homes.