E. coli contamination prompts recall of organic baby carrots from Bakersfield
Grimmway Farms products recalled after being distributed nationwide
– Grimmway Farms, a Bakersfield farm company, and popular local brand, has issued a recall for select organic whole carrots and organic baby carrots after potential contamination with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) O121, a bacterium that can cause serious illness. While the recalled products are no longer available in stores, they may still be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers, according to a statement from the farm company.
The recalled products were distributed to retail centers across the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada. The organic whole carrots, which do not have a best-if-used-by date, were sold from Aug. 14 through Oct. 23, 2024. Organic baby carrots with best-if-used-by dates ranging from Sept. 11 through Nov. 12, 2024, are also included in the recall. While these carrots should no longer be available for purchase in stores, they may still be in consumers’ homes.
The recall follows an outbreak reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has been linked to 39 illnesses and one death associated with E. coli O121.
None of the recalled carrots have tested positive for the bacteria, and the implicated farms are no longer in production. Grimmway Farms has notified customers who received the affected products directly and has asked distributors to be informed of the recall.
Consumers who purchased the affected carrots should not consume them. These products should be discarded, and any surfaces they touched should be cleaned and sanitized.
Click here to see information on brands and specific best-if-used-by dates.