Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

News

7 sickened in NY and NJ from E. coli outbreak tied to organic carrots

Brittany Kriegstein

Published Nov 18, 2024

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail

Never miss a story

Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

A bag of organic carrots sold by Grimmway Farms photographed in Lafayette, California, on Nov. 17, 2024.

Smith Collection / Gado / Getty Images

Brittany Kriegstein

Published Nov 18, 2024

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail

We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Federal health officials are warning about a widespread outbreak of E. coli infections tied to organic carrots that has sickened dozens of people across the country, including seven in New York and New Jersey and one who died in California.

The illnesses have been linked to organic whole bagged carrots and baby carrots sold by Bakersfield, California-based Grimmway Farms under a wide range of brand names, including Whole Foods’ 365, Nature’s Promise, Trader Joe’s and Wegmans. The company recalled the products on Saturday, so they are likely no longer on store shelves but may already be in people’s homes, according to the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Consumers who find these carrots in their refrigerators should throw them away and wash items or surfaces that have touched them with hot, soapy water, the agency said in an advisory on Sunday. The affected produce includes:

Baby Organic Carrots

Best-if-used-by dates ranging from Sept. 11, 2024 to Nov. 12, 2024.
Brands: 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, Wholesome Pantry.

Whole Organic Carrots

Were available for purchase in stores approximately from Aug. 14, 2024 through Oct. 23, 2024.
No best-if-used-by-dates are on the bags of organic whole carrots.
Brands: 365, Bunny Luv, Cal-Organic, Compliments, Full Circle, Good & Gather, GreenWise, Marketside, Nature's Promise, O-Organic, President's Choice, Simple Truth, Trader Joe's, Wegmans, Wholesome Pantry

E. coli is a type of bacteria that normally lives in the digestive tract of healthy people and animals, but certain strains can cause serious illness if accidentally ingested, health officials said. Most people infected with those strains will start to experience symptoms like severe stomach cramps or diarrhea about three to four days after eating the contaminated food.

A map of known e. coli cases in the outbreak linked with organic carrots.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

While people typically recover without treatment after five to seven days, severe symptoms can warrant a visit to the hospital. The CDC said anyone experiencing severe diarrhea that is bloody or persists for more than three days, a fever higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit, excessive vomiting, or signs of dehydration — including not urinating much, dry mouth and throat, and dizziness — should call their health care provider immediately.

A total of 39 cases connected to the carrots have been tracked so far in 18 states, leading to 15 hospitalizations and one death. The number of people infected is “likely much higher” than what has been reported so far, because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for E. coli, according to health officials.

Tagged

food

new york state

Health and Science

new york city

e coli

new jersey

Brittany Kriegstein

Twitter

Brittany Kriegstein covers all breaking news around New York City, with a focus on crime and gun violence. Got a tip? Email Brittany at [email protected].

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

MORE news

Brooklyn school dean says MTA officers assaulted him over a $3 bus fare he says he paid

Kyle Taylor, a dean at Mott Bridges Academy, says he made a legal bus transfer.

Carol Chen

Published Oct 14, 2026 at 4:51 p.m. ET

National Grid customers in NYC will see higher gas bills this winter

Due to higher delivery fees, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island customers will likely see their bills increase by an average of $87 this winter.

Rosemary Misdary

News

National Grid customers in NYC will see higher gas bills this winter

Due to higher delivery fees, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island customers will likely see their bills increase by an average of $87 this winter.

Rosemary Misdary

Bruce Blakeman joins Gov. Hochul in support for expanding NY rape law

Jon Campbell

2 men accused of stabbing off-duty NYPD detective in the Bronx plead not guilty

Charles Lane

and

Brittany Kriegstein

Man who pushed his baby and her mother from a Bronx balcony arraigned from psych ward

Brittany Kriegstein

Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .