### Expanded Recall of Organic Carrots Due to E. Coli Outbreak

Carrot enthusiasts be cautious: your favorite veggies might be harboring dangerous E. coli. The range of potentially infected organic carrot products has broadened, now affecting those recently available at Whole Foods. Last weekend, federal health authorities revealed an outbreak of E. coli infections impacting individuals across 18 states. The origin of these cases links back to organic carrots from Grimmway Farms.

Following this revelation, Grimmway Farms initiated a recall of several of its whole and baby carrot products. These items were sold directly by the company or under different brand names at multiple retailers, including Wegmans and Trader Joe's. This week, Grimmway Farms has expanded the list of recalled products to encompass additional bag sizes.

Other companies have followed suit. Both Fabalish Inc and F&S Fresh Foods have issued recalls for several of their products, which incorporate the potentially contaminated carrots from Grimmway. Specifically, F&S Fresh Foods has recalled items sold under the Whole Foods brand: Whole Foods Market 15 oz. Organic Carrot Sticks and Whole Foods Market 15 oz. Organic Carrots & Celery.

As of November 22, the outbreak has caused illness in at least 39 people, resulting in 15 hospitalizations and one fatality. The E. coli strain involved, identified as O121:H19, produces toxins that can lead to severe complications such as hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS), which can severely damage the kidneys and other organs. Many cases likely remain unreported, as not everyone seeks medical care for foodborne illnesses.

While the affected carrots were distributed nationwide, current risk to customers appears low, with officials indicating that contaminated products are likely no longer on store shelves. Nonetheless, there remains a threat from carrots stored in home refrigerators, as they can last up to a month. Officials urge consumers to check their homes and discard any recalled 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," the FDA advised in its latest update.

This carrot recall follows another E. coli outbreak linked to contaminated onions in McDonald's Quarter Pounders. Although that incident has been resolved with no further immediate threat, the company faces ongoing legal challenges from those affected.