Carrots with E. coli were not on my Outbreak Bingo Card

I have not seen a bacterial or viral outbreak clearly linked to carrots before.

Grimmway Carrots E. coli Outbreak

As of November 17, 2024, 39 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli have been reported from 18 states according to the CDC: Wyoming 1, Washington 8, Virginia 1, Texas 1, South Carolina 2, Pennsylvania 1, Oregon 3, Ohio 1, North Carolina 1, New York 5, New Jersey 2, Missouri 1, Minnesota 5, Michigan 1, Massachusetts 1, Colorado 1, California 3 and Arkansas 1. Illnesses started on dates ranging from September 6, 2024 to October 28, 2024. Of 38 people with information available, 15 have been hospitalized and none developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that can cause kidney failure. One death has been reported from California. CDC and public health officials in several states are investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli O121 infections linked to multiple brands of recalled organic whole bagged carrots and baby carrots sold by Grimmway Farms. Carrots on store shelves right now are likely not affected but may be in people’s homes. 

Some past outbreaks most likely linked to Carrots:

In 2007, four Canadians became ill with Shigellosis in August. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency conducted an investigation and found a common exposure to be consumption of Los Angeles Salad Company’s Genuine Sweet Baby Carrots. The agency issued a warning to the public, and Costco, where the carrots were carried in Canada, issued a voluntary recall on the bags with sell by dates of 8/13/2007. Bags were sold in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland. The carrots were also distributed in the U.S. but no cases of Shigellosis developed. The carrots originated in Mexico.

In 2004, between August 22 and August 24, passengers on flights departing from Honolulu, Hawaii consumed food contaminated with Shigella. The food had been prepared by the Gate Gourmet, Inc., facility located in Honolulu, Hawaii. Gate Gourmet prepared meals for at least three major air carriers. Prior to the outbreak, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspection of the facility demonstrated severe food handling violations. People in at least 22 U.S. states, Japan, Australia, and American Samoa were affected. Consumption of vegetables in the fresh garden salad, particularly carrots, increased the risk of illness.

Republished with permission from Bill Marler and Marler Clark. Copyright (c) Marler Clark LLP, PS. All rights reserved.