PR in the Philippines

California City, California, November 17, 2024 – A deadly E. coli outbreak traced to carrots from major supermarkets has resulted in one death and 39 illnesses in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada. The CDC is warning the public about this dangerous situation. Grimmway Farms, a California-based company, states its products may be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing *Escherichia coli* (E. coli), a potential cause identified by the CDC. Despite the report, these carrots remain available in major supermarkets.

The affected carrots were sold between September 11th and November 12th and include brands such as Cal-Organic, Wegman’s, Kroger, and President’s Choice, among others. Numerous illnesses have been reported following consumption of these carrots, posing a risk to adults and children. Sources suggest the actual number of affected individuals is likely significantly higher than reported cases, as many instances may remain unrecorded, hindering a complete understanding of the outbreak’s scale.

Of 27 interviewed individuals who fell ill, 96% reported consuming the implicated carrots, strongly suggesting contamination. Jeff Huckaby, President and CEO of Grimmway Farms, stated, “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.”

Those affected have experienced symptoms including diarrhea, severe stomach pain, vomiting, nausea, and fever, typically appearing two to nine days after consumption. This delay in symptom onset complicates timely treatment. Until the situation is resolved, avoiding consumption of these carrots is advised.