Grimmway Farms And Its E. Coli Outbreak

A massive recall of baby and organic carrots that were previously being sold at grocery stores across the country has been issued by a Californian farmer from the Grimmway Farms after an outbreak of E. coli with 39 cases recorded in 18 states, leaving 39 people ill, 15 hospitalized, and one death already.

Grimmway Farms is the largest grower, producer, and shipper of carrots in the world. It’s headquartered in Bakersfield, California, and was family-owned and operated for 40 years until it was sold to a private equity firm. It has operations in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Oregon, and Washington. The company is most famous for popularizing the baby-cut carrot which was one of the many carrots they recalled.

While the recall did not pull any carrots off the shelves at stores as they should already no longer be available for sale, carrots that had been purchased before the recall may still be in people's homes.

“If you have any recalled carrots in your home, throw them out or return them to the store,” the Center for Disease Control and Prevention advised.

The CDC has advised consumers to look out for any baby organic carrots that:

• Have there best-if-used-by dates ranging from 9/11/2024 to 11/12/2024

• Are from 365, Bunny Luv, Cal-Organic, Compliments, Full Circle, Good & Gather, GreenWise, Grimmway Farms, Marketside, Nature’s Promise, O-Organic, President’s Choice, Raley’s, Simple Truth, Sprouts, Trader Joe’s, Wegmans, Wholesome Pantry or any of those following brands

They’ve also advised customers to look out for any whole organic carrots that:

• Have no best-if-used-by-dates

• Were purchased from stores approximately around 8/14/2024 through 10/23/2024

• Are from 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 or any of those following brands

Grimmway Farms CEO and president Jeff Huckaby has already issued a statement on their official website in response to the carrot recall and E. coli outbreak.

“We take our role in ensuring the safety and quality of our products seriously,” it reads. “The health of our customers and the integrity of our products are our highest priorities, and we are conducting a thorough review of our growing, harvest, and processing practices. Our food safety team is working with our suppliers and health authorities.”

The CDC has again advised customers to not consume any recalled carrots and throw them away instead, making sure to wash any items or surfaces that the recalled carrots may have come into contact with using hot soapy water or a dishwasher. You should contact your healthcare provider according to the CDC if you experience any severe symptoms of E. coli which include:

• Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F

  • Diarrhea for more than 3 days that is not improving

  • Bloody diarrhea

• So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down 

• Signs of dehydration such as:

  • Not peeing much

  • Dry mouth and throat

  • Feeling dizzy when standing up