A multi-state E. coli outbreak connected to organic carrots has resulted in 15 hospitalizations and one death, according to the CDC.
The CDC issued a food safety alert this week, warning that E. coli infections have been documented in 18 states, with over 40 people sickened. The outbreak has been linked to Grimmway Farms’ organic carrots, which are offered in a wide range of supermarket stores under brand names such as Cal-Organic, Trader Joe’s, Wegmans, and 365.
The CDC continues to consider the outbreak current, even though the goods are no longer available on store shelves. Consumers are advised to inspect their homes and refrigerators for any affected carrots and discard them right away.
Escherichia coli, or E. coli, is a bacterium that can dwell in the human gut and is one of the leading causes of foodborne illness in the United States. There are several types of E. coli, some of which are harmless. Others can cause moderate symptoms like nausea, tiredness, and diarrhea, as well as more severe, potentially fatal effects.
What states and products are impacted by the outbreak?
The E. coli outbreak has been connected to infections in 18 states across the United States, ranging from California to New York. Texas, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Colorado, and numerous more states are among those affected.
Currently, Washington, Minnesota, and New York are reporting the most cases, followed by California and Oregon.
A full list of states and products affected by the recall can be found here.
The contaminated products can be identified by the best-if-used dates.
Baby organic carrots have best-if-used dates ranging from 9/11/2024 to 11/12/2024, and full organic carrots between 8/14/2024 and 10/23/24. Not all brands will provide a best-if-used-by date on their package.
Consumers should inspect their homes for affected products and discard them immediately. Any surfaces that the carrots have come into contact with should be cleansed right away with hot soapy water.
Signs and symptoms of an E. coli infection
“E. coli is not a new toxin. It’s something that we’ve known about for a long time in medicine. And the good news is that we know what symptoms to look for. We’re pretty good at detecting and treating infections. Most people recover, although some of the more severe cases are very tragic,” said Rais Vohra, MD, a professor of clinical emergency medicine at UCSF Medical and director of the California Poison Control System Fresno-Madera Division.
The symptoms of E. coli often appear 3 to 4 days after infection. Mild symptoms are nonspecific and may feel like general “food poisoning.”
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting, in rare cases
In some situations, the symptoms are more severe, especially if the strain of E. coli generates shiga toxins. Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) can cause severe, bloody diarrhea (dysentery) and other dangerous complications, such as hemolytic uremic, which can lead to kidney failure and death.
Healthy adults are likely to survive an E. coli infection with supportive treatment, although some populations are at a higher risk of serious illness.
Elderly people and young children are also more likely to get dehydration and severe symptoms from an E. coli infection.
What to do if you believe you have symptoms of an E. coli infection
Prevention is the most effective treatment for foodborne illnesses. This means basic hygiene and food safety practices, including general acts like hand washing and surface disinfection. However, if you believe you have taken a contaminated product or are already experiencing symptoms, the best course of action is to seek supportive care at home, including rest and hydration.
Replacing fluids and electrolytes lost through vomiting and diarrhea is the most critical aspect of therapy at this point.
However, in other cases, supportive care may not be sufficient.
“If the symptoms are more severe, such as having a fever that’s above 102 degrees Fahrenheit, or having diarrhea that’s occurring for longer than three days, or bloody diarrhea, any of the symptoms that the CDC on their website lists asmore severe, in that situation, it would be recommended to then reach out to a healthcare profession,” said Lambson.
To Summarize
A multistate E. coli outbreak connected to organic carrots has caused nearly 40 recorded illnesses, 15 hospitalizations, and one death.
Grimmway Farms distributed tainted carrots under a variety of brand names, including Trader Joe’s, Cal-Organic, and Bunny Luv.
The implicated products are no longer on store shelves, but they could be in your refrigerator. Consumers are asked to check for tainted products and destroy them right away.
E. coli infection is a frequent foodborne illness that can cause moderate symptoms (diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting) or more serious complications like dysentery (bloody diarrhea) and hemolytic uremic syndrome.
