Organic Carrot Recall Issued Amid E. coli Outbreak in the US**

With 39 reported cases and one fatality linked to organic and baby carrots, health officials recommend discarding the recalled items and sterilizing surfaces once touched.**

Organic and baby carrots distributed throughout the United States have been recalled by Grimmway Farms due to a lethal E. coli outbreak that has claimed one life. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have been a total of 39 reported cases across 18 states, with 15 individuals requiring hospitalization.

The recall affects bagged carrots sold at major retailers including Trader Joe's, Whole Foods' 365, Good & Gather from Target, Walmart's Marketside, and Wegmans, among others. While authorities indicate that the contaminated products are likely not present on store shelves anymore, they may still be found in consumers’ homes, which should be disposed of or returned for a refund.

Most cases have emerged from New York, Minnesota, and Washington, as well as California and Oregon, according to reports from the Associated Press. The CDC noted that the organic whole carrots involved do not bear a best-if-used-by date but were sold between August 14 and October 23. In contrast, organic baby carrots with best-if-used-by dates ranging from September 11 to November 12 are also included in the recall.

In addition to the disposal of the affected items, health officials recommend that consumers clean and sanitize any surfaces that might have come into contact with the carrots. Symptoms of O121 E. coli, which may manifest three to four days post-exposure, include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. While many recover without medical intervention, some may experience serious kidney complications requiring hospitalization.

This E. coli incident follows a recent outbreak linked to slivered onions in McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burgers, which sickened 104 individuals. Previously, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed a death in October related to that particular outbreak along with 34 hospitalizations.