Highest risk U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Grimmway Farms Organic whole carrots and organic baby carrots recall: Products may be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (E

Recall published 1+ years ago

Products may be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) O121:H19.

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 16, 2024
Risk level
Highest risk
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
Grimmway Farms
Product type
Fresh produce
Distribution
Nationwide

Products covered by this recall

Organic whole carrots and organic baby carrots

What the company announced

Grimmway Farms has issued a recall of select organic whole carrots and organic baby carrots that should no longer be in grocery stores but may be in consumers' refrigerators or freezers.

These products may have been 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 following recalled products were shipped directly to retail distribution centers nationwide in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada:

Organic whole carrots, which do not have a best-if-used-by date printed on the bag, but were available for purchase at retail stores from August 14 through October 23, 2024,

Organic baby carrots with best-if-used-by-dates ranging from September 11 through November 12, 2024. The recalled carrots should not be available for purchase in stores but may be in consumers' refrigerators or freezers.

  • November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms Firm-Initiated Recall Product photos will be posted in our recall notice on our website at grimmway.com: O rganic WHOLE Carrots available for purchase at retail from August 14 through October 23, 2024
  • November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms Firm-Initiated Recall Product photos will be posted in our recall notice on our website at grimmway.com: Label · Bag Sizes · All of these organic whole carrots were available for purchase at retail stores from August 14 through October 23, 2024. No best-if-used-by-dates are on the bags of organic whole carrots.
  • November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms Firm-Initiated Recall Product photos will be posted in our recall notice on our website at grimmway.com: 365 · 1lb, 2lb, 5lb
  • November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms Firm-Initiated Recall Product photos will be posted in our recall notice on our website at grimmway.com: Bunny Luv · 1lb, 2lb, 5lb, 10lb, 25lb
  • November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms Firm-Initiated Recall Product photos will be posted in our recall notice on our website at grimmway.com: Cal-Organic · 1lb, 2lb, 5lb, 6lb, 10lb, 25lb
  • November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms Firm-Initiated Recall Product photos will be posted in our recall notice on our website at grimmway.com: Compliments · 2lb
  • November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms Firm-Initiated Recall Product photos will be posted in our recall notice on our website at grimmway.com: Full Circle · 1lb, 2lb, 5lb
  • November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms Firm-Initiated Recall Product photos will be posted in our recall notice on our website at grimmway.com: Good & Gather · 2lb
  • November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms Firm-Initiated Recall Product photos will be posted in our recall notice on our website at grimmway.com: GreenWise · 1lb, 25lbs
  • November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms Firm-Initiated Recall Product photos will be posted in our recall notice on our website at grimmway.com: Marketside · 2lb
  • November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms Firm-Initiated Recall Product photos will be posted in our recall notice on our website at grimmway.com: Nature's Promise · 1lb, 5lb
  • November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms Firm-Initiated Recall Product photos will be posted in our recall notice on our website at grimmway.com: O-Organics · 1lb, 2lb, 5lb, 10lb
  • November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms Firm-Initiated Recall Product photos will be posted in our recall notice on our website at grimmway.com: President's Choice · 2lb
  • November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms Firm-Initiated Recall Product photos will be posted in our recall notice on our website at grimmway.com: Simple Truth · 1lb, 2lb, 5lb
  • November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms Firm-Initiated Recall Product photos will be posted in our recall notice on our website at grimmway.com: Trader Joe's · 1lb
  • November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms Firm-Initiated Recall Product photos will be posted in our recall notice on our website at grimmway.com: Wegmans · 1lb, 2lb, 5lb
  • November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms Firm-Initiated Recall Product photos will be posted in our recall notice on our website at grimmway.com: Wholesome Pantry · 1lb, 2lb, 5lb
  • November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms Firm-Initiated Recall Product photos will be posted in our recall notice on our website at grimmway.com: Organic BABY (cut and peeled) carrots with specific best-if-used-by dates
  • November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms Firm-Initiated Recall Product photos will be posted in our recall notice on our website at grimmway.com: Label · Bag Sizes · B est-if-Used-by-Dates are printed on the bag
  • November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms Firm-Initiated Recall Product photos will be posted in our recall notice on our website at grimmway.com: From · Through
  • November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms Firm-Initiated Recall Product photos will be posted in our recall notice on our website at grimmway.com: 365 · 12oz, 1lb, 2lb · SEP 11 24 · NOV 02 24
  • November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms Firm-Initiated Recall Product photos will be posted in our recall notice on our website at grimmway.com: Bunny Luv · 1lb, 2lb, 3lb, 5lb · SEP 11 24 · NOV 12 24
  • November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms Firm-Initiated Recall Product photos will be posted in our recall notice on our website at grimmway.com: Cal-Organic · 12oz, 1lb, 2lb, 2pk/2lbs · SEP 11 24 · NOV 02 24
  • November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms Firm-Initiated Recall Product photos will be posted in our recall notice on our website at grimmway.com: Compliments · 1lb · SEP 14 24 · OCT 24 24
  • November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms Firm-Initiated Recall Product photos will be posted in our recall notice on our website at grimmway.com: Full Circle · 1lb · SEP 14 24 · OCT 24 24
  • November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms Firm-Initiated Recall Product photos will be posted in our recall notice on our website at grimmway.com: Good & Gather · 12oz, 1lb · SEP 14 24 · NOV 02 24
  • November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms Firm-Initiated Recall Product photos will be posted in our recall notice on our website at grimmway.com: GreenWise · 1lb · SEP 11 24 · OCT 26 24
  • November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms Firm-Initiated Recall Product photos will be posted in our recall notice on our website at grimmway.com: Grimmway Farms · 25 lb bag · SEP 11 24 · OCT 03 24
  • November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms Firm-Initiated Recall Product photos will be posted in our recall notice on our website at grimmway.com: Marketside · 12oz, 1lb, 2lb · SEP 11 24 · NOV 02 24
  • November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms Firm-Initiated Recall Product photos will be posted in our recall notice on our website at grimmway.com: Nature's Promise · 1lb · SEP 13 24 · OCT 25 24
  • November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms Firm-Initiated Recall Product photos will be posted in our recall notice on our website at grimmway.com: O-Organics · 12oz, 1lb, 2lb · SEP 11 24 · NOV 02 24
  • November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms Firm-Initiated Recall Product photos will be posted in our recall notice on our website at grimmway.com: President's Choice · 1lb, 2lb · 11 SEP 24 · 02 NOV 24
  • November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms Firm-Initiated Recall Product photos will be posted in our recall notice on our website at grimmway.com: Raley’s · 1lb · SEP 14 24 · OCT 23 24
  • November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms Firm-Initiated Recall Product photos will be posted in our recall notice on our website at grimmway.com: Simple Truth · 1lb, 2lb · SEP 14 24 · NOV 02 24
  • November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms Firm-Initiated Recall Product photos will be posted in our recall notice on our website at grimmway.com: Sprouts · 1lb, 2lb · SEP 13 24 · NOV 04 24
  • November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms Firm-Initiated Recall Product photos will be posted in our recall notice on our website at grimmway.com: Trader Joe's · 1lb · SEP 13 24 · NOV 04 24
  • November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms Firm-Initiated Recall Product photos will be posted in our recall notice on our website at grimmway.com: Wegmans · 12oz, 1lb, 2lb · SEP 14 24 · NOV 02 24
  • November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms Firm-Initiated Recall Product photos will be posted in our recall notice on our website at grimmway.com: Wholesome Pantry · 1lb, 2lb · SEP 16 24 · NOV 07 24

The company is voluntarily recalling these carrots after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that these products may be associated with an outbreak. To date, 39 illnesses and one death have been associated with an E. coli O121:H19 outbreak.

The company has also notified its customers who received the recalled product directly from Grimmway Farms and requested that those customers notify distributors of the recall products. The implicated farms are out of production, and none of the recalled carrots have tested positive for E. coli O121:H19.

Consumers: The recalled carrots should no longer be available for purchase but may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers. Consumers who purchased carrots in the table above and still have them in their refrigerator or freezer should not consume them; they should be destroyed or discarded so they cannot be consumed. If you have these products in your home, do not eat or use them, throw them away, and clean and sanitize surfaces they touched. Consumers concerned about an illness should contact a medical professional.

Consumers with questions or products in their possession may contact our customer services desk at 1-800-301-3101, M-F, 8 am – 8 pm ET, and November 16-17, 8 am – 8 pm ET, or visit www.grimmway.com .

Product Labeling

FDA Outbreak: Advisory Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O121:H9: Organic Carrots (November 2024) | FDA

CDC Webpage

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

Model or item number

On the rating label, the box or the instruction sheet.

  • 39

Package size

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

  • 1 lb
  • 2 lb
  • 5 lb
  • 10 lb
  • 25 lb
  • 6 lb
  • 25 lbs
  • 12 oz
  • 3 lb
  • 2 pk
  • 2 lbs

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

Grimmway Farms — 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. Seal it in a bag and throw it out, or return it to the store for a refund.
  3. Wash hands, utensils, boards and counters that touched it with hot soapy water — cross-contamination is how most secondary cases happen.
  4. If anyone has bloody diarrhoea, call a doctor the same day and say the word recall. Do not reach for an anti-diarrhoeal first.

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.

Company contact: Grimmway Farms — Consumers: Grimmway Farms, 1-800-301-3101 — Media: Dana Brennan, 661-855-8985, [email protected]

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 Grimmway Farms fresh produce recalled?

Products 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.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

Match the codes printed on your package against the notice: model number 39. 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?

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.

Where was the recalled product sold?

It was distributed nationwide.

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