More carrot products have been recalled in connection to Grimmway Farms carrots contaminated with E. coli, according to a Thursday update by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The FDA issued two separate additional recalls that were initiated by companies that used or repackaged carrots that Grimmway Farms may have supplied.
No illnesses caused by E. coli poisoning have been reported to date related to the additional recalls.
The original recall, voluntarily issued by Grimmway Farms on Nov. 16, included bagged organic baby and whole carrots sold nationwide over possible E. coli contamination. The outbreak linked to organic carrots resulted in one death, 15 hospitalizations, and 39 cases from across the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The FDA announced on Nov. 21 that the Grimmway Farms recall also impacts markets outside of the United States including Canada, Colombia, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
The agency noted that the affected products are no longer sold in stores but may be in consumers’ homes.
Fabalish Kickin’ Carrot Falafel Bites Recall
New Jersey-based company Fabalish Inc. is recalling boxes of Kickin’ Carrot Falafel Bites that were sold directly from the company’s website. The impacted items were packed in a 10-ounce orange box and labeled as “Fabalish Kickin’ Carrot Falafel Bites” with the lot code 260925 found on the side flap.
The affected products were distributed in the following states:
- Florida
- New York
- Washington
- Tennessee
- California
- Indiana
- Ohio
- Illinois
- New Hampshire
- Virginia
- Georgia
- Nebraska
- Colorado
- Utah
- Kansas
- Texas
- Massachusetts
- Montana
No illnesses have been reported in that recall as of Wednesday.
The company urges customers who purchased the affected Fabalish Kickin’ Carrot Falafel Bites to discard them in the trash and send a photo to [email protected] for a full refund.
Whole Foods Market Product Recall
F&S Fresh Foods of California is recalling 15-ounce Organic Carrot Sticks and 15-ounce Organic Carrots & Celery sold at Whole Foods Market. Although the affected products are no longer sold in stores, they may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers, the announcement said.
F&S Fresh Foods was alerted by Grimmway Farms that whole organic carrots supplied to the company may be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli.
These products were sold at Whole Foods Market stores in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, and Nevada.
The recalled items were packaged in plastic clamshell containers with codes of “GH” followed by three digits ranging from 236 to 284, and best if sold by dates from Sept. 1 to Oct. 19.
As of Thursday, no illnesses have been reported to F&S Fresh Foods, the announcement stated.
E. Coli Symptoms
Most E. coli bacteria are harmless and live in the intestines of people and animals, the FDA said. People who eat or drink food or water contaminated with certain types of E. coli can cause mild to severe gastrointestinal illness, the agency added
The outbreak is caused by Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), which can lead to severe symptoms such as fever, stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea, according to the FDA.
People infected with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli will usually start experiencing symptoms three to four days after swallowing the bacteria and recover without treatment after five to seven days, the CDC said.
The FDA noted that the severity of certain symptoms may depend on the type of E. coli that causes the infection. Some infections can lead to severe bloody diarrhea and potentially life-threatening conditions, including a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), or the development of high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, and neurologic problems.
Although people of any age can be infected, young children, adults older than 65, and those with a weakened immune system are more likely to develop severe illness as a result of an E. coli infection, according to the FDA.
Customers who are experiencing severe E.coli symptoms should call a healthcare provider, the agency warned.
The FDA advised consumers to check their refrigerators or freezers and to throw away the affected carrots. Consumers should wash items and surfaces that may have touched the affected product using hot soapy water or place them in a dishwasher, the agency said.
The investigation is ongoing and more information will be provided as it becomes available.