At least five people in Washington state sickened by E. coli linked to organic carrots

An E. coli outbreak linked to organic carrots has emerged, affecting at least five people in Washington state, with the CDC reporting a total of 39 infections across 18 states. The states most impacted include Washington, New York, and Minnesota, with 15 hospitalizations and one confirmed death associated with this outbreak. The source has been traced to organic carrots from Grimmway Farms, leading to a recall of both organic whole and baby carrots. Consumers are urged to check their homes for affected products and dispose of them immediately.

Health officials stress the importance of sanitizing surfaces that may have been in contact with the contaminated carrots. E. coli infections can cause severe symptoms, including stomach cramps and diarrhea, and may lead to serious complications requiring hospitalization. The CDC continues to monitor the situation, noting that the actual number of infections could be higher due to underdiagnosis.