Organic carrots recalled in US after deadly E. coli outbreak

Organic and baby carrots available in grocery stores throughout the United States have been pulled from shelves following an E. coli outbreak that has resulted in one fatality.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are currently 15 individuals hospitalized and 39 reported cases spanning 18 states.

The recall involves packaged carrots provided by Grimmway Farms to major grocery chains such as Trader Joe's, Whole Foods 365, Target's Good & Gather, Walmart's Marketside, Wegmans, and several others.

Authorities state that the affected products probably aren’t available for purchase anymore, but they might still be found in households. If you have them, it’s best to dispose of them or take them back to the store for a refund.

According to the Associated Press, the majority of those infected are located in New York, Minnesota, and Washington, with California and Oregon following closely behind.

According to the CDC, the recalled organic whole carrots do not have a "best if used by" date marked on the package, but they were sold between August 14 and October 23. Additionally, certain organic baby carrots with "best if used by" dates ranging from September 11 to November 12 are also being recalled.

In addition to disposing of any recalled items, the CDC also recommended that individuals clean and disinfect all surfaces that they might have come into contact with.

Signs of O121 E. coli infection include intense abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting, typically appearing about three to four days after ingesting the bacteria.

According to the CDC, while many people heal on their own without any medical intervention, some individuals could experience significant kidney issues and may require hospitalization.

The recent E. coli infections associated with carrots follows a notable outbreak in the US that was tied to sliced onions served on McDonald's Quarter Pounder burgers. This previous incident resulted in 104 individuals falling ill.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported earlier that in October, one individual passed away, and 34 others were hospitalized due to that outbreak.