Central Coast farm tied to carrot recall, E. coli outbreak. Did you buy tainted veggies?
A California carrot grower with farms on the Central Coast is linked to a national outbreak of E. coli, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC alerted the public Sunday that the nationwide outbreak originated from Grimmway Farms.
In response, the company has recalled multiple brands of bagged organic whole carrots and organic baby carrots.
“The health of our customers and the integrity of our products are our highest priorities, and we are conducting a thorough review of our growing, harvest and processing practices,” Grimmway Farms President and CEO Jeff Huckaby said in a statement. “Our food safety team is working with our suppliers and health authorities.”
As of Sunday, 39 people in 18 states were infected by the E. coli outbreak, according to the CDC.
Out of the infected individuals, 15 people were hospitalized and one person had died as of Sunday.
Public health officials are currently investigating the causes of the multi-state outbreak, according to a CDC news release.
What is Grimmway Farms?
Headquartered in Bakersfield, Grimmway Farms is one of the world’s largest growers, producers and shippers of carrots.
On the Central Coast, the company’s farms lie in the Cuyama Basin in northern Santa Barbara County. Fields are off Highway 166 in New Cuyama.
Grimmway Farms also grows carrots throughout Southern California, Washington, Colorado and Florida, according to its website.
Did I buy carrots tied to E. coli outbreak?
The now-recalled carrots were shipped to retail distribution centers across the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The root vegetables were available to buy in U.S. stores from around Aug. 14 to Oct. 23, the CDC said.
However, the veggies should no longer be on supermarket shelves.
Grimmway Farms carrots were sold to consumers under various brand names, including i365, 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.
Grocery store chains that sold potentially tainted carrots include Costco, Target, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods.
What should I do if I have tainted veggies in my fridge?
The CDC advised the public to not eat any recalled bagged organic carrots.
If you have tainted carrots in your fridge or freezers, you should throw them in the trash, the CDC said.
In addition, the federal agency said, you should wash any items or surfaces that were in contact with the recalled carrots by using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.
What is E. coli?
E. coli is a type of bacteria that is frequently found in the environment, foods, water and the intestines of people and animals, according to the CDC.
The bacteria is usually harmless and contributes to a healthy intestinal tract, the agency said, helping people digest food and protect against destructive germs.
However, some strains of E. coli can cause severe illness in humans, the CDC said.
What are symptoms of E. coli infection?
Most people infected with E. coli start experiencing symptoms three to four days after consuming the bacteria, the CDC said.
These are the most common symptoms, according to the agency:
- Stomach cramps
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- A fever higher than 102 degrees
- Vomiting
The CDC said most people recover without treatment within five to seven days of falling ill.
However, some people develop serious kidney issues after ingesting E. coli that require hospitalization.
You should call your healthcare provider if you’re experiencing severe symptoms, the CDC advised.
This story was originally published November 19, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
