Updated December 18, the outbreak has ended Five Minnesotans are part of a deadly multistate E. coli O121:H19 outbreak linked to organic carrots. The outbreak includes 48 illnesses in 19 states. Twenty people, including one person in Minnesota, have been hospitalized. A person in California has died.
Grimmway Farms of Bakersfield, CA processed the organic whole and baby carrots identified as the source of this outbreak which were sold under a variety of brand names. The carrots are no longer on store shelves but because health officials are concerned that consumers may still have them at home, a recall has been issued.
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Where Were the Recalled Carrots Sold?
In Minnesota, patients reported purchasing carrots from Costco, Target, and Hy-Vee under the brand names Good and Gather, Bunny Luv, and Cal-Organic.
The brand names of carrots included in the nationwide recall are: 365, Bunny Luv, Cal-Organic, Compliments, Full Circle, Good & Gather, GreenWise, Grimmway Farms, Marketside, Nature’s Promise, O-Organic, President’s Choice, Raley’s, Simple Truth, Sprouts, Trader Joe’s, Wegmans, and Wholesome Pantry.
What is E. coli O121:H19?
Some E. coli strains produce Shiga toxins which are poisonous to humans and cause severe illness. The most common member of the Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) family is E. coli O157:H7. That strain along with the STEC strains: O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145 account for most E. coli illnesses reported in the U.S. each year.
Symptoms of a STEC infection, which usually develop within one to three days of exposure, include abdominal cramps and diarrhea that can be bloody. Some people with these infections can experience dangerous complications such as hemorrhagic colitis, hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS), and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).
Over-the-counter antidiarrheal medications should not be given to patients with E. coli infections as they can increase the risk of developing HUS.
In 2022, a six-state E. coli O121:H19 outbreak linked to Earth Grown frozen falafel sold at ALDI stores sickened 24 people. Five people were hospitalized, one with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a form of kidney failure that is a complication of some E. coli infections.
Minnesota E. coli O121:H19 Outbreak
Five people in Minnesota are part of the multistate E. coli O121:H19 outbreak. They first became ill on dates between September 21 and October 6, days after eating organic carrots. One of the Minnesota patients, who range in age from 15 to 44 years old, has been hospitalized.
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E. coli Lawyers with a Proven Track Record
Pritzker Hageman E. coli lawyers at Pritzker Hageman have represented clients in every major U.S. E. coli outbreak. If you or your family member developed an E. coli infection from contaminated carrots and you would like a free consultation with an experienced E. coli lawyer, please contact us by calling 1-888-377-8900, sending a text to 612-261-0856, or by completing the form below. The consultation is free and there is no obligation.