Grimmway Farms has issued a voluntary recall of its organic whole and baby carrots across the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada following potential contamination with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) O121. This bacterium can cause severe infections, especially in young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
The recall was announced after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) linked the carrots to an outbreak of E. coli O121. As of the recall, 39 illnesses and one death have been reported in connection with the outbreak.
The affected carrots include various brands and packaging sizes, sold at retail locations between mid-August and early November. The organic whole carrots come under brands such as Bunny Luv, Cal-Organic, Trader Joe’s, and Wegmans, while the baby carrots are distributed under names like Good & Gather, Simple Truth, and Sprouts. Both product categories include items with “no best-if-used-by dates” or specific date ranges spanning September to early November.
E. coli O121is known for causing symptoms such as severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. In some cases, complications like hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) may develop, a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure.
Grimmway Farms urges customers to check their refrigerators and dispose of any recalled products. Retailers and consumers who purchased the affected items can also contact Grimmway Farms for a refund or replacement.
The company emphasized that it is working closely with health officials to address the situation and ensure public safety. For more detailed information about the specific products involved, consumers are encouraged to visit Grimmway Farms’ official website or consult the FDA recall notice.
