Urgent recall as popular organic carrots cause deadly E. coli outbreak
A major carrot producer stocking grocery stores across the nation has issued an urgent recall due to an E.
A major carrot producer stocking grocery stores across the nation has issued an urgent recall due to an E. coli outbreak.
California-based Grimmway Farms has voluntarily recalled various sizes and brands of organic carrots on Saturday, according the the CDC.
Eighteen states are affected as grocers have been forced to rapidly pull prominent carrot brands from their shelves.
Due to the contamination, one person has died and 15 have been hospitalized. There have been 39 reported cases overall, the CDC reported.
All the recalled carrots were sold from August 14 to October 23.
Organic carrots have been recalled from: Bunny Luv, Cal-Organic, Compliments, Full Circle, Good & Gather, GreenWise, Marketside, Natures Promise, O-Organic, Presidents Choice, Simple Truth, Trader Joes, Wegmans, Wholesome Pantry and 365.
Baby carrots with best-if-used-by dates from September 11 to November 12 have been pulled from Sprouts, Raleys, Presidents Choice and Grimmway Farms.
People who have any carrots from these brands should throw them out immediately or return them to the store, the CDC advised.
Bunny-Luv is one of the 19 brands impacted by the Grimmway Farms recall
People suffering from E. coli poisoning may experience diarrhea, high fever, stomach cramps, vomiting, dehydration, dry mouth and dizziness, according to the CDC.
Many people infected with the Shiga toxin-producing bacteria start to feel sick after three or four days after exposure.
Recovery without medical treatment is common, with many individuals feeling better after five or seven days. Others, the CDC noted, can develop critical kidney problems.
The investigation into this outbreak is ongoing.
This E. coli scare comes as McDonalds Quarter Pounder has left 104 people sick across 14 states.
One man has died and 34 people have had to go to the hospital, likely because the slivered onions on the burger were contaminated with E. coli.
Out of the people hospitalized, four of them developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS, which is a serious condition that can cause life-threatening kidney failure.
Illnesses began on dates ranging from September 12 to October 21, but there are likely more to come as symptoms of E. coli typically take between three to four weeks to appear.
Organic carrots in whole and baby-cut varieties have been recalled due to the E. coli outbreak
The burgers were taken off the menu completely in an effort to rectify the situation at about 20 percent of McDonalds.
Other locations, however, are just serving the burger with no onions on it.
Experts have warned against consuming uncooked fruits and vegetables as there is no opportunity to heat away any potential bacteria.
Darin Detwiler, a professor of food regulatory policy at Northeastern University told NBC New York: If you look at just the sheer number of outbreaks and recalls over the last 15 years, we typically see more cases of E. coli tied to produce.
Barbara Kowalcyk, director of the Institute for Food Safety and Nutrition Security at George Washington University also warned against eating bagged salads that include greens such as lettuce, sprouts and cantaloupe.
She explained that sealed bags or containers that hold leafy greens can create a breeding ground for bacteria.
Any leaf that is torn or damaged, I just throw it away, because thats how the bacteria can get in there. And I usually take the outer leaves off and discard them.
The senior expert recommended thoroughly washing and drying packages greens - using a paper towel - to help remove bacteria.
Berkeley Club Beverages had to recall 150,000 bottles of water across Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland after the FDA discovered coliform bacteria in the drinks.
Stores across 18 states had to pull organic carrots from their shelves, as 39 cases of E. coli poisoning have already been reported
Coliform bacteria indicates there may be a more harmful bacteria present, such as E. coli.
The recall includes Berkeley Springs Water Purified and Berkeley Springs Water Distilled in one- and five-gallon bottles.
While the amount or type of bacteria has not been revealed, the FDA has a zero limit for coliform.
The recall, issued in September, was assigned a Class III classification, meaning exposure to the bacteria is not likely to cause adverse health consequences.
Berkeley Club Beverages voluntarily recalled its product on September 12 and as of November 13, the FDA terminated its investigation.
