Syracuse, N.Y. (NCC News) – You may want to get in contact with the person who made the honey roasted carrots at Friendsgiving. Though they may have been delicious, they could have potentially been impacted by an E. coli outbreak announced Sunday by the CDC.
Organic bagged carrots from California-based Grimmway Farms are the cause of 39 reported infections and one fatality. The carrots were quickly recalled, initiated by the farm based on the best-if-used by dates, ranging from 8/11/24 to last just week, 11/12/24.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Takac_Package5
Skylar Takac: “You may want to get in contact with the person who made the roasted carrots at Friendsgiving…39 infections and 1 death have been attributed to an E. coli outbreak that impacted bagged carrots sold by California-based Grimmway Farms. Infections from the now recalled carrots range across the United States, with New York accounting for the most cases thus far. Beth Helminiak, Manager of Microbiology at Laboratory Alliance of Central New York, explains the danger of E. coli, not only because it can change how it presents itself but also because…”
Beth Helminiak: “E. coli is normal flora…it doesn’t normally kick out shiga-like toxin and make you sick, but there are strains of E. coli that are normal gut flora for the vast majority of the population, so it’s really, it can be very tricky to weed out, is this a hemorrhagic one or a non-hemorrhagic one”.
Skylar Takac: “Carrots best-if-used by dates ranging between August eleventh and November twelfth have the potential to have been impacted by the outbreak. The F-D-A assures consumers that the impacted carrots are no longer available for purchase. Retailers like Trader Joe’s, one of many grocery stores where Grimmway Farms carrots were sold, are keeping shoppers informed using signs like these at check out and also offering returns”.
Skylar Takac: “For those who purchased carrots earlier this fall and still have them in their fridge or freezer, the best thing to do is just throw them out. The FDA also urges consumers to remain aware of potential symptoms which mainly affect your gut such as severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Those who have questions or impacted carrots in their possession are encouraged to contact the customer services team at Grimmway Farms.
For NCC News, I’m Skylar Takac”.
Manager of Microbiology at Laboratory Alliance of Central New York, Beth Helminiak, relays the complicated nature of E. coli testing, as it can present itself as a sickening toxin, but also a normal gut flora. Heliminiak explained:
“E. coli is normal flora…it doesn’t normally kick out shiga-like toxin and make you sick, but there are strains of E. coli that are normal gut flora for the vast majority of the population. So it can be very tricky to weed out, is this a hemorrhagic one or a non-hemorrhagic one”.
Fortunately, according to the FDA, the impacted carrots are no longer on grocery shelves. This reassurance was seconded by Syracuse Trader Joe’s crew member, Scott, who remarked that the currently stocked carrots are safe to consume. Trader Joe’s is one of many retailers that sold Grimmway Farms products and is offering its shoppers support via informational signage at checkout and the opportunity to return previously purchased carrots.
Professor specializing in human health and disease at Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, Lisa Olson-Gugerty advises that though E. coli can inevitably outbreak, there are certain measures that consumers can take, such as washing hands and produce as well as being aware of product recalls. Olson-Gugerty affirmed:
“Anything (produce) you get, give it a good rinse, and you can expect that things are basically safe to eat, however, we’re humans, we make E. coli and have livestock that does the same. It’s not a perfect world, you have to be safe and pay attention to those recall notices”.
Consumers of the recalled carrots this past fall should remain cognizant of potential symptoms such as stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and fever. Contact a healthcare provider if symptoms appear or worsen.