A new outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium (ref #1277) linked to a not yet identified product has been added to the table. FDA has initiated traceback.
For the outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 (ref #1269) linked to a not yet identified product, the case count has increased from 21 to 25 cases.
For the outbreak of E. coli O121:H19 (ref #1273) linked to organic whole and baby carrots supplied by Grimmway Farms, FDA has updated the outbreak advisory. FDA has also initiated an onsite inspection and sample collection.
For the outbreak of E. coli O26:H11 (ref #1272) linked to a not yet identified product, the outbreak has ended.
On November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms initiated a voluntary recall of multiple quantities and brands of bagged, organic whole and baby carrots and contacted their distributing customers. Recalled products were shipped directly to retail distribution centers nationwide in the United States and Puerto Rico. These products should no longer be in grocery stores but may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers.
On November 21, 2024, the recall expanded to include additional bag sizes for organic whole carrots under the following labels:
Bunny Luv: 50-lb
Cal-Organic: 15-lb and 50-lb
Good & Gather: 1-lb
A full list of recalled products is below. These products are likely no longer available for sale in stores but could be in people’s homes.
FDA’s investigation is ongoing and more information will be provided as it becomes available.
Grimmway Farms announced the addition of four bag sizes of organic whole carrots to its November 16, 2024, recall. All dates associated with the recall remain unchanged.
These products may have been contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) O121:H19. For more information on E. coli 0121:H19 and to read the initial recall notice, please visit Grimmway’s websiteExternal Link Disclaimer.
“As a part of our ongoing review of internal processes associated with the voluntary recall, we determined that four bag sizes needed to be added to our initial recall announcement,” said Jeff Huckaby, President & CEO of Grimmway Farms. “We then began the process to notify the FDA and update the consumer. The health of our consumers and the integrity of our products are our highest priorities, and we will not rest until this issue is fully resolved.”
Retailers who received the affected product were appropriately notified of all correct bag sizes when the company initiated the recall on November 16.
The recalled carrots should not be available for purchase in stores but may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers. The table below shows the additional bag sizes in bold and underlined font.
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.
Bunny Luv
1lb, 2lb, 5lb, 10lb, 25lb, 50lb
Cal-Organic
1lb, 2lb, 5lb, 6lb, 10lb,
15lb, 25lb, 50lb
Good & Gather
1lb, 2lb
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.
Consumers: The recalled carrots should no longer be available for purchase but may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers. Consumers who purchased carrots specified in the original recall noticeExternal Link Disclaimer (and in the table above) who still have them in their refrigerator or freezer should not consume them; the carrots 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.
“We would also like to apologize to consumers who have been unable to reach our company due to technical issues and high call volume,” stated Huckaby. “We have been working around the clock with our third-party vendors to address these challenges and have made a direct telephone number available to consumers (1-866- 912-9552).”
Consumers with questions or products in their possession may contact our customer services desk at 1-866-912- 9552, Sun-Sat, 8 am – 8 pm ET or visit www.grimmway.comExternal Link Disclaimer.
For the outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 (ref #1269) linked to a not yet identified product, the case count has increased from 18 to 21 cases.
For the outbreak of E. coli O121:H19 (ref #1273) linked to organic whole and baby carrots supplied by Grimmway Farms, FDA has issued an advisory. Grimmway Farms has initiated a voluntary recall of several sizes and brands of bagged, organic whole and baby carrots. See the outbreak advisory for additional information.
For the outbreak of Salmonella Liverpool (ref #1265) linked to a not yet identified product, the outbreak has ended.
For the investigation of illnesses (ref #1233) linked to Diamond Shruumz-brand Chocolate Bars, Cones, and Gummies, the advisory was updated on November 15, 2024. CORE’s investigation is complete, and the agency is now focused on post-incident actions and activities.
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.comExternal Link Disclaimer
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.
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.
F&S Fresh Foods, Sacramento, CA is recalling Whole Foods Market 15 oz. Organic Carrot Sticks and Whole Foods Market 15 oz. Organic Carrots & Celery that should no longer be in stores but may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers. The recall was initiated after F&S Fresh Foods was notified by Grimmway Farms that whole organic carrots supplied to F&S Fresh Foods may be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) O121:H19. (Link to Grimmway Farms’ press release on the FDA website can be found HERE.)
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.
These products were sold at Whole Foods Market stores in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, and Nevada.
The containers are plastic clamshells as pictured below. Coding information will include the letters “GH” followed by three digits ranging from 236 – 284. Best if sold by dates range from 9/1/24 to 10/19/24.
No illnesses have been reported to F&S Fresh Foods to date.
This recall is being made with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The recalled carrots should no longer be available for purchase but may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers. Consumers who purchased carrots with the above best if sold by dates 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 may have touched. Consumers concerned about an illness should contact a medical professional.
Consumers with questions may contact the company at (888)449-9386, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm PT, Monday through Friday.
Food – Microbial contamination – E. Coli – other pathogenic
What to do
Do not consume, use, sell, serve or distribute recalled products
Distribution
National
Affected products
Brand
Product
Size
UPC
Codes
Bunny-Luv
Organic Juice Carrots
11.34 kg
0 78783 90227 9
All products sold from August 14 to October 23, 2024 inclusively
Bunny-Luv
Fresh Carrots
907 g
0 33383 66001 1
All products sold from August 14 to October 23, 2024 inclusively
Cal-Organic
Organic Baby-Cut Carrots
454 g
0 33383 90205 0
All Best Before dates from September 11 to November 2, 2024, inclusively
Cal-Organic
Organic Baby-cut Carrots
2 x 907 g
0 78783 90207 1
All Best Before dates from September 11 to November 2, 2024, inclusively
Cal-Organic
Organic Baby-Cut Carrots
907 g
0 78783 90206 4
All Best Before dates from September 11 to November 2, 2024, inclusively
Cal-Organic
Organic Carrots
907 g
0 33383 90202 9
All products sold from August 14 to October 23, 2024 inclusively
Cal-Organic
Organic Carrots
2.27 kg
0 33383 90203 6
All products sold from August 14 to October 23, 2024 inclusively
Cal-Organic
Organic Petite Carrots
340 g
0 78783 90810 3
All Best Before dates from September 11 to November 2, 2024, inclusively
Cal-Organic
Carrots
50 lb
None
All products sold from August 14 to October 23, 2024 inclusively
Compliments Organic
Baby-Cut Carrots
454 g
0 55742 50267 1
All Best Before dates from September 14 to October 24, 2024, inclusively
Compliments Organic
Carrots
907 g
0 55742 50268 8
All products sold from August 14 to October 23, 2024 inclusively
PC Organics
Baby-cut Carrots
454 g
0 60383 69288 9
All Best Before dates from September 11 to November 2, 2024, inclusively
PC Organics
Baby-cut Carrots
907 g
0 60383 73643 9
All Best Before dates from September 11 to November 2, 2024, inclusively
PC Organics
Carrots
907 g
0 60383 69593 4
All products sold from August 14 to October 23, 2024 inclusively
Issue
The affected products are being recalled from the marketplace because these products may be contaminated with E. coli O121 bacteria .
What you should do
If you think you became sick from consuming a recalled product, contact your healthcare provider
Check to see if you have recalled products
Do not consume, serve, use, sell, or distribute recalled products
Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the location where they were purchased
Food contaminated with E. coli O121 may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, mild to severe abdominal cramps and watery to bloody diarrhea. In severe cases of illness, some people may have seizures or strokes, need blood transfusions and kidney dialysis or live with permanent kidney damage. In severe cases of illness, people may die.
Grimmway Farms initiated a voluntary recall of multiple sizes and brands of bagged organic whole and baby carrots.
Organic whole carrots were available for purchase at retail from August 14 through October 23, 2024 (365, Bunny Luv, Cal-Organic, Compliments, Full Circle, Good & Gather, GreenWise, Marketside, Nature’s Promise, O Organic, President’s Choice, Simple Truth, Trader Joe’s, Wegmans, Wholesome Pantry).
Organic baby carrots include specific best-if-used-by dates printed on the bags ranging from September 11 to November 12, 2024 (365, Bunny Luv, Cal-Organic, Compliments, Full Circle, Good & Gather, GreenWise, Grimmway Farms, Kroger, LIDL, Marketside, Nature’s Promise, O Organic, President’s Choice, Raley’s, Simple Truth, Sprouts, Trader Joe’s, Wegmans, Wholesome Pantry).
A full list of recalled products is below. These products are likely no longer available for sale in stores but could be in people’s homes.
Symptoms include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and/or vomiting. Symptoms begin anywhere from a few days after consuming contaminated food or up to nine days later.
The severity or presence of certain symptoms may depend on the type of pathogenic E. coli that is causing the infection. Some infections can cause severe bloody diarrhea and lead to life-threatening conditions, such as a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), or the development of high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, and neurologic problems.
Stores Affected
These products were sold nationwide but are likely no longer available for sale in stores.
Status
Ongoing
Recommendation
Consumers should check their refrigerators and freezers and should not eat recalled bagged whole or baby carrots. If you have these products in your home, do not eat or use them, throw them away, and clean and sanitize surfaces they touched. If you purchased organic whole or baby carrots and stored them without the original packaging and don’t know what brand they are, you should not eat them and should throw them away.
Retailers and distributors that purchased recalled bagged whole or baby carrots should not sell this product and should notify their customers. These products are likely past shelf-life and no longer available for sale in stores, but distributors and retailers should check their refrigerators and freezers and should not serve or sell recalled bagged whole or baby carrots.
Retailers that are unsure if they received these products may need to contact their supplier. If you are unable to determine whether or not recalled product was received, you should discard the contents of the bins and use extra care to clean and sanitize the bins before refilling.
Retailers, distributors, and consumers should follow FDA’s safe handling and cleaning advice and use extra care in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces and containers that may have come in contact with these products to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
Contact your healthcare provider if you think you may have symptoms of an E. coli infection after eating organic carrots.
Current Update
November 17, 2024
The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating illnesses in a multistate outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O121:H9 infections linked to organic whole and baby carrots supplied by Grimmway Farms of Bakersfield, California.
State and local public health officials are interviewing people about the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. Of the 27 people interviewed, 26 (96%) reported eating carrots.
FDA’s traceback investigation identified Grimmway Farms as the common supplier of organic whole and baby carrots in this outbreak. On November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms initiated a voluntary recall of multiple quantities and brands of bagged organic whole and baby carrots and contacted their distributing customers. The retail-packaged organic whole carrots were in stores for purchase from August 14 through October 23, 2024. The organic baby carrots have different best-if-used-by-dates ranging from September 11 through November 12, 2024. A full list of recalled products is below.
Although product is likely no longer on the market, carrots can last a long time when refrigerated or frozen. Consumers should check their refrigerators and freezers and discard these recalled products. Distributors and retailers that may have received recalled bagged organic whole and baby carrots should follow the recommendations above and contact their customers.
FDA is working with the firm to determine the source of contamination and whether additional products are affected. This advisory will be updated as information becomes available.
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 CORE Outbreak Investigation Table is a list of outbreak and adverse event investigations primarily being managed by FDA’s CORE Response Teams. The investigations are in a variety of stages, meaning that some outbreaks have limited information, and others may be near completion. The table will be updated weekly.
This week’s updates are:
A new outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 (ref #1269) linked to a not yet identified product has been added to the table. FDA has initiated traceback.
For the outbreak of E. coli O121:H19 (ref #1273) linked to a not yet identified product, the case count was adjusted from 33 to 37 cases.
For the outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 (ref #1270) linked to onions, FDA updated the outbreak advisory.
For the outbreak of Salmonella Thompson (ref #1262) linked to a not yet identified product, the outbreak has ended.
For the outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 (ref #1249) linked to a not yet identified product, the outbreak has ended.
For the outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes (ref #1247), FDA’s investigation has closed.
For the outbreak of Cyclospora cayetanensis (ref #1245), FDA’s investigation has closed. CDC, FDA, and state and local partners conducted epidemiologic and traceback investigations and identified shrimp salad, made with fresh produce ingredients, as the source of illnesses in this outbreak. FDA collected and analyzed product and ingredient samples as part of the investigation, but all samples were reported as negative for Cyclospora. Due to the lack of additional supporting evidence, investigators were unable to determine a specific ingredient as the source of contamination while the outbreak was considered ongoing. All product is past shelf life and is no longer on the market. There is no ongoing risk to public health.
For the outbreak of Cyclospora cayetanensis (ref #1237), FDA’s investigation has closed and the case count has adjusted to 49. CDC, FDA, and state and local partners conducted epidemiologic and traceback investigations and identified imported parsley as the source of illnesses in this outbreak. FDA initiated on-site inspections and collected and analyzed product and ingredient samples as part of the investigation, but all samples were reported as negative for Cyclospora. Due to the lack of additional supporting evidence, investigators were unable to determine a specific source of contamination while the outbreak was considered ongoing. All product is past shelf life and is no longer on the market. There is no ongoing risk to public health.
For the outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium (ref #1234), FDA’s investigation has closed. CDC, FDA, and state and local partners conducted epidemiologic and traceback investigations and identified jalapeno pepper as the source of illnesses in this outbreak. FDA collected and analyzed product samples as part of the investigation, but all samples were reported as negative for Salmonella. Additionally, once investigators had enough information to confirm jalapenos as the source of this outbreak, the products were past their shelf life and no longer available for sale. This outbreak is over and there is no risk to consumers.
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