Carrots Recalled Across 18 States Due to E. Coli, Causing 40 Illnesses and One Death

A great snack or crunchy salad addition, carrots are one of America’s most-loved vegetables. Unfortunately, bad news in the form of a recent recall from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) might make lovers of the orange vegetable think twice. On Saturday, the CDC issued a recall on organic carrots linked to E. coli-related illnesses across several states. Read to learn more about the nature of the recall and what the selling company is doing about the contaminated carrots. 

Carrots recalled for E. Coli contamination have caused illness and death 

According to a statement from the CDC on Nov. 16, 2024, several reported cases of E. coli-related illness across 18 states and one death have been connected to recalled carrots. 

The recall comprises a variety of brands of organic whole-bagged carrots and baby carrots sold by Grimmway Farms, headquartered in Bakersfield, CA.

Grimmway Farms’ carrots were delivered directly to retail distribution centers across the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada.

Since early September, the recalled carrots have been linked to 39 cases of E. coli infections including 15 hospitalizations due to E. coli-related symptoms. 

The contaminated carrots are no longer available on store shelves but they may still be in people’s refrigerators at home. The CDC advises customers to throw away the recalled carrots or return them to the store.

Which brands are included in the carrot recall?

The recall comprises multiple sizes and brands of bagged organic baby and whole carrots sold in popular grocery stores such as Whole Foods, Sprouts, Trader Joe’s and Wegmans.

A comprehensive list of recalled brands can be found on the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s website. The list includes the following brands:

Baby Organic Carrots with Best-if-used-by dates ranging from 9/11/2024 to 11/12/2024

• 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, Wholesome Pantry

Whole Organic Carrots that were available for purchase in stores approximately from 8/14/2024 through 10/23/2024 with no best-if-used-by-dates 

• 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, Wholesome Pantry

What has the company said about the carrot recall?

Grimmway Farms is actively working with suppliers and health authorities to minimize the effects of the outbreak. As of right now, the farms implicated with the recalled carrots have discontinued production. 

In a statement, Jeff Huckaby—Grimmway Farms President and CEO—said, “We take our role in ensuring the safety and quality of our products seriously.” 

Huckaby assures customers that their health and the integrity of Grimmway’s product are, “our highest priorities,” and the company is in the process of conducting a thorough review of their growing, harvest, and processing practices. 

Carrots are among several recent food recalls

Organic carrots join the growing list of food recalls in recent months in the United States. From burgers to frozen waffles, you may be wondering: why are there so many recalls lately?

Some experts speculate that American’s increasingly processed diet preferences are one reason we might be seeing such an influx in recalls. 

“Every step of food processing, there’s the opportunity for contamination. That’s number one. Consumers want ready-to-eat food, so of course, they’re more processed as a result,” Dr. Céline Gounder, a CBS News medical contributor and editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News, said on CBS Mornings.   

Another reason—and a more positive one—for an uptick in recalls might be constantly evolving and improving the technology used by health safety officials. 

“A large portion of what appears to be an increase in outbreaks is us more effectively finding them,” a CDC spokesperson told AARP.