The CDC has declared that an outbreak of E. coli O121:H19 infections traced to carrots from Grimmway Farms has ended.
A total of 48 people were confirmed as victims in the outbreak. Patients were spread across 19 states. Twenty people were hospitalized. One person died, and another developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that can cause kidney failure and brain damage.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that illnesses started from Sept. 6 to Nov. 10. The outbreak investigation started on Oct. 15. Grimmway Farms initiated a recall on Nov. 16.
According to the Food and Drug Administration, epidemiologic and traceback evidence showed that recalled carrots were the likely source of illnesses in this outbreak.
The FDA inspected Grimmway Farms of Bakersfield, CA, and collected environmental samples. Two outside environmental samples were positive for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC).
“Although both strains of E. coli detected in the samples are capable of causing human illness, neither match the strain of E. coli causing illnesses in this outbreak. The strain of E. coli causing illnesses in this outbreak was not found in environmental samples,” according to the FDA’s outbreak update.
The FDA is working with Grimmway Farms on corrective and preventive actions.
In relation to the outbreak, Grimmway Farms recalled 35 brands and weight sizes of organic carrots and baby carrots. The recalled carrots were distributed nationwide and included popular brands sold at Walmart, Kroger, Whole Foods, Target, Sprouts, and other retailers.
The true number of outbreak patients was likely much higher than those confirmed. The CDC reports that for every confirmed patient in an E. coli outbreak, 26 go unreported. This is because some people do not seek medical attention, and others are not specifically tested for E. coli infection.
William “Bill” Marler has been a food safety lawyer and advocate since the 1993 Jack-in-the-Box E. coli Outbreak which was chronicled in the book, “Poisoned” and in the recent Emmy Award winning Netflix documentary by the same name. Bill work has been profiled in the New Yorker, “A Bug in the System;” the Seattle Times, “30 years after the deadly E. coli outbreak, A Seattle attorney still fights for food safety;” the Washington Post, “He helped make burgers safer, Now he is fighting food poisoning again;” and several others.
Dozens of times a year Bill speaks to industry and government throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Africa, China and Australia on why it is important to prevent foodborne illnesses. He is also a frequent commentator on food litigation and food safety on Marler Blog. Bill is also the publisher of Food Safety News.
E. coli: Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm, is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of E. coli outbreaks and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The E. coli lawyers of Marler Clark have represented thousands of victims of E. coli and other foodborne illness infections and have recovered over $900 million for clients. Marler Clark is the only law firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation. Our E. coli lawyers have litigated E. coli and HUS cases stemming from outbreaks traced to ground beef, raw milk, lettuce, spinach, sprouts, and other food products. The law firm has brought E. coli lawsuits against such companies as Jack in the Box, Dole, ConAgra, Cargill, and Jimmy John’s. We have proudly represented such victims as Brianne Kiner, Stephanie Smith and Linda Rivera.
If you or a family member became ill with an E. coli infection or HUS after consuming food and you’re interested in pursuing a legal claim, contact the Marler Clark E. coli attorneys for a free case evaluation.
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