An elderly Los Angeles County man died amid a national recall of carrots that were contaminated with Escherichia coli.
Two additional local cases are under investigation, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Across the United States, at least 39 people have become ill and 18 people have been hospitalized in 15 states as of Sunday.
The affected products, bagged whole carrots and baby carrots grown in Bakersfield and sold by Grimmway Farms in a wide variety of grocery stores, are no longer on shelves, the Centers for Disease Control said in a statement.
However, carrots were on shelves from mid-August to late October, so consumers should check their refrigerators and throw away or return any carrots that may be contaminated.
Carrot brands suspected of being contaminated 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, according to the CDC.
There have been several Escherichia coli outbreaks in recent months. In October, more than 100 McDonald's customers fell ill from a Escherichia coli Outbreak in the United States linked to chopped onions. In the United Kingdom, one person died in June in a Escherichia coli Lettuce-related outbreak that sickened at least 275 people. Organic nuts made consumers sick in 19 states with Escherichia coli Infections in April.
Escherichia coli The bacteria cause infections that are especially dangerous in young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems. Symptoms usually appear three or four days after exposure and include “severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and/or vomiting,” according to the Food and Drug Administration.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
