Deadly E. coli outbreak linked to carrots

Various brands of carrots including President’s Choice and Compliments brands sold in Canada have been recalled, triggered by a deadly E. coli outbreak in the United States.

While the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has not identified any cases regarding the recalled product in Canada, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report one death and state at least 39 people were ill with 15 hospitalized, with E. coli infections linked to fresh carrots sold by several large grocery retailers in 18 states.

Grimmway Farms issued a voluntary recall of the carrots, which were also shipped to stores in Canada and Puerto Rico.

The baby carrot brands include 365, Bunny Luv, Cal-Organic, Compliments, Grimmway Farms, O-Organic, President’s Choice, Trader Joe’s, Wegmans and others. Whole, organic carrot brands are also under recall.

On Monday, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency posted a recall notice for organic carrots and stated people should throw out or return the products.

Click here to see the product brands, UPC and codes. 

The recalled whole carrots were sold between Aug. 14 and Oct. 23. The recalled baby carrots had best-if-used-by dates ranging from Sept. 11 through Nov. 12.

Food contaminated with E. coli O121 may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, mild to severe abdominal cramps and watery to bloody diarrhea. In severe cases of illness, some people may have seizures or strokes, need blood transfusions and kidney dialysis or live with permanent kidney damage. In severe cases of illness, people may die.