Washington, D.C., USA- January 13, 2020: FDA Sign at its headquarters in Washington DC. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or USFDA) is a federal agency of the USA.
An ongoing investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) maintains the recall of various brands of organic whole and baby carrots, following an outbreak of E. coli O121:H19 linked to the products. The outbreak, which has raised concerns across the nation, was traced back to bagged carrots supplied by Grimmway Farms. Affected products were sold in multiple sizes and brands across the U.S. between August 14 and October 23, 2024.
The recall, first initiated by Grimmway Farms on November 16, 2024, has expanded over the past two weeks to include additional bag sizes and brands. Organic whole carrots, which were sold in bags without a printed best-if-used-by date, were available in major retail stores nationwide. These include brands such as 365, Bunny Luv, Cal-Organic, Compliments, Full Circle, Good & Gather, GreenWise, Marketside, Nature’s Promise, O Organics, President’s Choice, Simple Truth, Trader Joe’s, Wegmans, and Wholesome Pantry.
Organic baby carrots, with specific best-if-used-by dates ranging from September 11 to November 12, 2024, are also part of the recall, affecting brands like 365, Bunny Luv, Cal-Organic, Compliments, Full Circle, Good & Gather, GreenWise, Grimmway Farms, Kroger, LIDL, Marketside, Nature’s Promise, O Organics, President’s Choice, Raley’s, Simple Truth, Sprouts, Trader Joe’s, Wegmans, and Wholesome Pantry.
The recall expanded on November 21, 2024, to include additional bag sizes for certain organic whole carrots, including:
- Bunny Luv: 50-lb
- Cal-Organic: 15-lb and 50-lb
- Good & Gather: 1-lb
The FDA has confirmed that while these products are likely no longer available in stores, they may still be present in consumers’ homes.
Health Risks and Symptoms
E. coli infections can cause severe health problems. Symptoms typically include stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and vomiting, which can appear a few days to up to nine days after consuming contaminated food. Some strains of E. coli can lead to more severe complications, such as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a potentially life-threatening condition that can cause kidney failure, high blood pressure, and neurological issues.
Consumers who have purchased the recalled carrots should immediately discard them and clean and sanitize any surfaces that may have come into contact with the products. If you have stored the carrots without their original packaging and cannot identify the brand, it is also advised to dispose of them. Retailers and distributors who received the recalled products should ensure they are not sold or served and notify customers accordingly.
Additional Recalls and Affected Products
The recall has prompted further actions from companies that repackaged or used the contaminated carrots. Additional recalls include:
- 4Earth Farms: Recalled multiple brands of organic vegetable medleys and whole carrots, as of November 29, 2024.
- Fabalish Inc.: Kickin’ Carrot Falafel Bites, recalled on November 21, 2024.
- Whole Foods Market: Organic Carrot Sticks and Organic Carrots & Celery Sticks, also recalled on November 21, 2024. International Impact
While the recall primarily affects the U.S., Grimmway Farms has also alerted customers in international markets, including Canada, Colombia, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates, about the potential contamination. Affected customers in these countries have been notified directly by Grimmway Farms.
What to Do If You Have Symptoms
If you have consumed any of the recalled products and are experiencing symptoms of an E. coli infection, it is recommended to contact a healthcare provider for further evaluation and treatment.
As the investigation continues, the FDA has urged consumers to exercise caution and follow safe handling procedures to reduce the risk of further contamination. For more information, the FDA’s website and Grimmway Farms’ recall announcement provide updates and guidance.
Ongoing Investigation
The FDA’s investigation into the E. coli outbreak is still ongoing, and new information will be shared as it becomes available.
The bolded bag sizes below reflect additions to the existing November 16, 2024, voluntary recall.
| Label | Bag Sizes | Sample Product Image |
|---|---|---|
| 365 | 1lb, 2lb, 5lb |  |
| Bunny Luv | 1lb, 2lb, 5lb, 10lb, 25lb, 50lb |  |
| Cal-Organic | 1lb, 2lb, 5lb, 6lb, 10lb, 15lb, 25lb, 50lb |  |
| Compliments | 2lb |  |
| Full Circle | 1lb, 2lb, 5lb |  |
| Good & Gather | 1lb, 2lb |  |
| GreenWise | 1lb, 25lbs |  |
| Marketside | 2lb |  |
| Nature’s Promise | 1lb, 5lb |  |
| O Organics | 1lb, 2lb, 5lb, 10lb |  |
| President’s Choice | 2lb |  |
| Simple Truth | 1lb, 2lb, 5lb |  |
| Trader Joe’s | 1lb |  |
| Wegmans | 1lb, 2lb, 5lb |  |
| Wholesome Pantry | 1lb, 2lb, 5lb |  |
Organic baby carrots with best-if-used-by-dates ranging from September 11 through November 12, 2024:
| Label | Bag Sizes | Best if used by:From | Best if used by:Through | Sample Product Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 365 | 12oz, 1lb, 2lb | 9/11/24 | 11/02/24 |  |
| Bunny Luv | 1lb, 2lb, 3lb, 5lb | 9/11/24 | 11/12/24 |  |
| Cal-Organic | 12oz, 1lb, 2lb, 2pk/2lbs | 9/11/24 | 11/02/24 |  |
| Compliments | 1lb | 9/14/24 | 10/24/24 |  |
| Full Circle | 1lb | 9/14/24 | 10/24/24 |  |
| Good & Gather | 12oz, 1lb | 9/14/24 | 11/02/24 |  |
| GreenWise | 1lb | 9/11/24 | 10/26/24 |  |
| Grimmway Farms | 25 lb bag | 9/11/24 | 10/03/24 | |
| Kroger | 2lb | 9/14/24 | 11/02/24 | |
| LIDL | 1lb | 9/16/24 | 11/07/24 | |
| Marketside | 12oz, 1lb, 2lb | 9/11/24 | 11/02/24 |  |
| Nature’s Promise | 1lb | 9/13/24 | 10/25/24 |  |
| O Organics | 12oz, 1lb, 2lb | 9/11/24 | 11/02/24 |  |
| President’s Choice | 1lb, 2lb | 9/11/24 | 11/02/24 |  |
| Raley’s | 1lb | 9/14/24 | 10/23/24 |  |
| Simple Truth | 1lb | 9/14/24 | 10/20/24 |  |
| Sprouts | 1lb, 2lb | 9/13/24 | 11/04/24 |  |
| Trader Joe’s | 1lb | 9/13/24 | 11/04/24 |  |
| Wegmans | 12oz, 1lb, 2lb | 9/14/24 | 11/02/24 |  |
| Wholesome Pantry | 1lb, 2lb | 9/16/24 | 11/07/24 |  |
