A produce company based in California is under scrutiny as it has announced a recall due to potential E. coli contamination in its organic whole and baby carrots.

According to a news release from Bakersfield-based Grimmway Farms, a company that identifies itself as a “global leader in produce and a major carrot producer,” the recall was initiated on Saturday.

The company indicated that these carrots should “no longer be available in stores, but may still be present in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that the E. coli outbreak, which has impacted multiple states, is associated with certain carrots from Grimmway Farms. Reports state that one person has died, 15 have been hospitalized, and 39 illnesses have been linked to this outbreak.

Jeff Huckaby, President and CEO of Grimmway Farms, stated, “We take our responsibility for the safety and quality of our products very seriously. Our customers’ health and the integrity of our products are our utmost priorities, and we are meticulously reviewing our growing, harvesting, and processing procedures. Our food safety team is collaborating with our suppliers and health officials.”

Here’s what you need to know about Grimmway Farms and the ongoing recall.

Overview of Grimmway Farms

Grimmway Farms was founded in the 1960s by the Grimm brothers, who initially opened a roadside stand selling corn in Anaheim, California, as described on their website.

By 1969, brothers Rod and Bob Grimm formalized their partnership, establishing Grimmway Farms. As the baby carrot gained popularity in the 1990s, it transformed the produce industry, catering to consumers looking for convenient and healthy snack options. From 1991 to 2001, Grimmway expanded by acquiring multiple brands, enhancing their carrot and produce business, as noted in the company biography.

As of 2023, with additional processing facilities located in Washington and Georgia, Grimmway Farms produces over 135 products that are available year-round and seasonally, supplying them to markets globally. According to Dana Brennan, the vice president of external affairs and corporate responsibility at Grimmway, all company produce is cultivated in the U.S. and distributed through distribution centers rather than sold directly to retail stores.

Previously, the company has conducted recalls, the most recent of which was in 2021 when certain carrot products were suspected of salmonella contamination. Fortunately, no illnesses were reported during that recall, as noted by the Food and Drug Administration.

“This recall was initiated following a routine internal company test,” explained Huckaby in July 2021. “We prioritize our customers’ health and the integrity of our offerings, and we will keep monitoring and communicating updates as they arise.”

Which Grimmway Farms carrots are under recall?

Although the affected organic baby and whole carrots from Grimmway Farms are likely no longer available in stores, they may still be present in consumers’ homes and refrigerators.

According to the recall notice from Grimmway Farms, the impacted products were shipped directly to retail distribution centers across the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada. The recalls include:

• Organic whole carrots without a specified best-if-used-by date, available for purchase from Aug. 14 to Oct. 23.
• Organic baby carrots with best-if-used-by dates from Sept. 11 to Nov. 12.

The recalled carrot brands from Grimmway Farms include:

• 365: Carrots in 1 lb, 2 lb, 5 lb bags (whole) and 12 oz, 1 lb, 2 lb (baby)
• Bunny Luv: Carrots in 1 lb, 2 lb, 5 lb, 10 lb, 25 lb bags (whole) and 1 lb, 2 lb, 3 lb, 5 lb (baby)
• Cal-Organic: Carrots in 1 lb, 2 lb, 5 lb, 6 lb, 10 lb, 25 lb bags (whole) and 12 oz, 1 lb, 2 lb, 2 pk/2lb (baby)
• Compliments: 2 lb (whole) and 1 lb (baby)
• Full Circle: 1 lb, 2 lb, 5 lb (whole) and 1 lb (baby)
• Good & Gather: 2 lb (whole) and 12 oz, 1 lb (baby)
• GreenWise: 1 lb, 25 lb (whole) and 1 lb (baby)
• Grimmway Farms: 25 lb bag (baby)
• Marketside: 2 lb (whole) and 12 oz, 1 lb, 2 lb (baby)
• Nature’s Promise: 1 lb, 5 lb (whole) and 1 lb (baby)
• O-Organics: 1 lb, 2 lb, 5 lb, 10 lb (whole) and 12 oz, 1 lb, 2 lb (baby)
• President’s Choice: 2 lb (whole) and 1 lb, 2 lb (baby)
• Raley’s: 1 lb (baby)
• Simple Truth: 1 lb, 2 lb, 5 lb (whole) and 1 lb, 2 lb (baby)
• Trader Joe’s: 1 lb (whole) and 1 lb (baby)
• Wegmans: 1 lb, 2 lb, 5 lb (whole) and 12 oz, 1 lb, 2 lb (baby)
• Wholesome: Carrots in various sizes and types.
• Pantry: Available in 1 lb, 2 lb, and 5 lb (whole carrots) and 1 lb and 2 lb (baby carrots)

Which type of E. coli was detected in Grimmway Farms’ carrots?

The recalled products from Grimmway Farms might have been tainted with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, a type of bacteria that can lead to severe and sometimes deadly infections, especially in young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems, as stated by the CDC and the California-based grower.

According to the CDC, some infections can result in serious complications like severe bloody diarrhea, hemolytic uremic syndrome, high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, and various neurological issues.

Symptoms of E. coli infections can include intense stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea, or vomiting. The time it takes for symptoms to appear after exposure can range from 24 hours to as long as 10 days, with an average onset of symptoms around three to four days, the CDC reported.

Grimmway Farms has reached out to customers who received the contaminated carrots directly and has asked them to inform their distributors about the recall. The farms involved in the recall are currently inactive, and none of the recalled carrots have tested positive for E. coli, according to the company.