Carrot Recall Update As FDA Sets Highest Risk Level

A recall of a number of carrots from Grimmway Farms has been given a Class I classification from the FDA over E.Coli fears.

Newsweek has reached out to a representative for Grimmway Farms via email for comment.

Why It Matters

The voluntary recall was issued on November 16, but it has now been assigned a Class 1 classification, a title used in situations in which “there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death,” according to the FDA’s official website.

Carol E-Coli — Grimmway Farms logo on a bag of organic carrots, Lafayette, California, November 17, 2024. A recall of a number of carrots from Grimmway Farms has been given a Class I classification from the FDA over…

Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images

The products were contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E.coli O121:H19. E. Coli is a bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, elderly people, and those with a weakened immune system according to the FDA.

What To Know

The carrots had been distributed across the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. Hundreds of thousands of cases of carrots had been distributed.

The following Organic Whole Carrots available, which were for purchase at retail from August 14 to October 23, are affected by the recall:

Label	Bag Sizes	Best-if-used-by Dates
365	1lb, 2lb, 5lb	No best-if-used-by-date
Bunny Luv	1lb, 2lb, 5lb, 10lb, 25lb	No best-if-used-by-date
Cal-Organic	1lb, 2lb, 5lb, 6lb, 10lb, 25lb	No best-if-used-by-date
Compliments	2lb	No best-if-used-by-date
Full Circle	1lb, 2lb, 5lb	No best-if-used-by-date
Good & Gather	2lb	No best-if-used-by-date
Greenwise	1lb, 25lbs	No best-if-used-by-date
Marketside	2lb	No best-if-used-by-date
Nature’s Promise	1lb, 5lb	No best-if-used-by-date
O-Organics	1lb, 2lb, 5lb, 10lb	No best-if-used-by-date
President’s Choice	2lb	No best-if-used-by-date
Simple Truth	1lb, 2lb, 5lb	No best-if-used-by-date
Trader Joe’s	1lb	No best-if-used-by-date
Wegmans	1lb, 2lb, 5lb	No best-if-used-by-date
Wholesome Pantry	1lb, 2lb, 5lb	No best-if-used-by-date

The following Organic Baby Carrots (cut and peeled) are affected by the recall:

Label	Bag Sizes	Best-if-Used-by dates
365	12oz, 1lb, 2lb	Sep 11 – Nov 2
Bunny Luv	1lb, 2lb, 3lb, 5lb	Sep 11 – Nov 12
Cal-Organic	12oz, 1lb, 2lb, 2pk/2lbs	Sep 11 – Nov 2
Compliments	1lb	Sep 14 – Oct 24
Full Circle	1lb	Sep 14 – Oct 24
Good & Gather	12oz, 1lb	Sep 14 – Nov 2
GreenWise	25 lb bag	Sep 11 – Oct 3
Marketside	12oz, 1lb, 2lb	Sep 11 – Nov 2
Nature’s Promise	1lb	Sep 13 – Oct 25
O-Organics	12oz, 1lb, 2lb	Sep 11- Nov 2
President’s Choice	1lb, 2lb	Sep 11 – Nov 2
Raley’s	1lb	Sep 14 – Oct 23
Simple Truth	1lb, 2lb	Sep 14 – Nov 2
Sprouts	1lb, 2lb	Sep 13 – Nov 4
Trader Joe’s	1lb	Sep 13 – Nov 4
Wegmans	12oz, 1lb, 2lb	Sep 14 – Nov 2
Wholesome Pantry	1lb, 2lb	Sep 16 – Nov 7

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), carrots from Grimmway Farms have been linked to the recent outbreak of the E. Coli disease that has left one person dead and 48 others sick since September 6. The illness led to 20 hospitalizations, according to the FDA.

There have been illnesses have been reported across 19 states, with the highest number of cases recorded in Washington. The agency has said that the true number of infections is likely to be higher since many people do not receive medical care for E.Coli, nor are they tested for bacterial infection.

In a press release, the FDA said that all retailers who had received the affected products had been notified when the recall initially began in November.

The products should not be available to purchase in any stores, but they could be in consumers’ freezers or refrigerators.

What People Are Saying

In a statement issued by Grimmway Farms CEO Jeff Huckaby said, “We take our role in ensuring the safety and quality of our products seriously. 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.”