Highest risk U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Fabalish “Kickin” Carrot Falafel Bites recall: Potential Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) O121:H19

Recall published 1+ years ago

Potential Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) O121:H19 contamination

Fabalish Fresh produce — recalled fresh produceFabalish Fresh produce — recalled fresh produce (photo 2)
2 photos published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration with the recall notice.

The hazard: E. coli contamination

This is an E. coli recall. It takes very few of these bacteria to cause illness, so a small taste is not a safe test.

What the notice says: E. coli O121:H19 is a bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, elderly people, and those with a weakened immune system.

Why it matters: Shiga toxin-producing E. coli causes a more severe illness than most food poisoning, and in a minority of cases it damages the kidneys. Very small numbers of bacteria are enough to make someone ill.

Symptoms and when to call a doctor

The CDC describes symptoms as severe stomach cramps, diarrhoea that is often bloody, and vomiting, typically starting three to four days after exposure. Most people get better within a week. A small proportion — most often young children and older adults — develop haemolytic uraemic syndrome, a form of kidney failure that needs hospital treatment. Call a doctor for bloody diarrhoea, diarrhoea lasting more than three days, a fever above 102°F, vomiting that prevents you keeping liquids down, or signs of dehydration. The CDC advises against taking anti-diarrhoeal medicine for a suspected E. coli infection unless a doctor tells you to.

This page is general information, not medical advice. If you feel unwell, a clinician who can see you is the only person able to judge your case.

Recall details

Published
November 18, 2024
Risk level
Highest risk
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
Fabalish
Product type
Fresh produce
Distribution
California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington
Reports of harm
No illnesses have been reported to date.

Products covered by this recall

“Kickin” Carrot Falafel Bites

What the company announced

Fabalish Inc, Carlstadt, NJ is recalling Kickin’ Carrot Falafel Bites because it may be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) O121:H19. E. coli O121:H19 is a bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, elderly people, and those with a weakened immune system. Some infections can cause severe bloody diarrhea conditions, such as a hemolytic uremic syndrome, or the development of high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, and neurologic problems. Symptoms include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and/or vomiting. The incubation period for E. coli O121:H19 in humans can range from 24 hours to as much as ten days. The average incubation period is 3 to 4 days.

The product was distributed in FL, NY, WA, TN, CA, IN, OH, IL, NH, VA, GA, NE, CO, UT, KS, TX, MA & MT. These products were sold directly to consumers through the Fabalish website. www.fabalish.com

This product comes in a 10 oz orange box and labeled as “Fabalish Kickin’ Carrot Falafel Bites” with the lot code 260925 found on the side flap. See images attached.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

This recall is being conducted in response to a nationwide recall initiated by Grimmway Farms of organic whole carrots, which has been identified as a potential risk by one of our suppliers. Grimmway Farms Recalls Organic Whole and Select Organic Baby Carrots That May Be in Consumers’ Homes Due to Potential E. coli Contamination | FDA

Consumers who have purchased the affected Fabalish Kickin’ Carrot Falafel Bites are urged to discard in the trash and send a photo to orders@fabalish for a full refund. Consumers with any questions may contact the company at (201) 942-2900 Monday to Friday 10AM to 3PM EST.

Reproduced from the company announcement posted on fda.gov. Links and contact forms in the original are not repeated here; the official notice below has them.

Check your product

The notice names 2 codes you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

Lot or batch code

Usually ink-stamped near the seam, the cap or the bottom of the pack.

  • 260925

Package size

Match the net weight or the piece count on the front of the pack.

  • 10 oz

Codes are lifted verbatim from the FDA — Company recall announcements notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about E. coli

Fabalish — This is an E. coli recall. It takes very few of these bacteria to cause illness, so a small taste is not a safe test.

  1. Stop eating it now and keep it away from children.
  2. Wash hands, utensils, boards and counters that touched it with hot soapy water — cross-contamination is how most secondary cases happen.
  3. If anyone has bloody diarrhoea, call a doctor the same day and say the word recall. Do not reach for an anti-diarrhoeal first.
  4. Keep an eye on young children for a week after exposure, including after the diarrhoea stops, because kidney complications appear late.

How to get your money back

Food recalls carry a full refund, and in the United States you usually do not need the receipt or the packaging.

  • Take the product, or your photo of the label, to the customer service desk of the store where you bought it. Nearly every national grocer refunds recalled food on the spot.
  • Bought it online? Open the order in your account and use the refund option; marketplace sellers are required to honour a federal recall.
  • If the store refuses, contact the recalling company using the details on this page. The firm, not the shop, carries the cost of a recall.
  • If you have a loyalty card, the retailer can look the purchase up in your history — Kroger, Costco and Walmart all do this routinely.

Remedy named in the notice: Consumers who have purchased the affected Fabalish Kickin’ Carrot Falafel Bites are urged to discard in the trash and send a photo to orders@fabalish for a full refund.

Company contact: Fabalish Inc. — Consumers: Fabalish Inc., 201-942-2900

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the FDA — Company recall announcements record U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was Fabalish fresh produce recalled?

Potential Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) O121:H19 contamination E. coli O121:H19 is a bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, elderly people, and those with a weakened immune system.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

Match the codes printed on your package against the notice: lot code 260925. If the code on your package is not on that list, your unit is outside the recall.

What should I do with it right now?

Stop eating it now and keep it away from children.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: Consumers who have purchased the affected Fabalish Kickin’ Carrot Falafel Bites are urged to discard in the trash and send a photo to orders@fabalish for a full refund.

Which states were affected?

The notice lists California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York and others.

Related recalls