The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) Food and Drug Branch (FDB) has issued a recall alert for several brands of organic whole and baby carrots due to potential E. coli O121:H19 contamination. The affected products, sold under the brand names 365 Whole Foods Market, Bunny Luv, Cal-Organic, Good & Gather, and O Organics, were available at supermarkets and retailers across the United States, including Hawaiʻi.
A detailed list of the recalled items is available on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website. The FDB is collaborating with local stores to ensure these products are removed from shelves.
Symptoms of E. coli O121:H19 infection can include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Symptoms may appear one to ten days after consuming contaminated food, with an average onset of three to four days. While most healthy adults recover within a week, some cases can lead to severe bloody diarrhea or hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a potentially life-threatening kidney condition. Young children and the elderly are more susceptible to HUS. Other complications may include high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, or neurological issues.
Individuals experiencing symptoms after consuming any recalled carrots should contact their healthcare provider immediately. So far, there have been 39 reported illnesses and one death nationwide linked to these products. The DOH is investigating whether any cases in Hawaiʻi are related.
Consumers are advised that while the recalled carrots should no longer be available for purchase, they might still be in homes. It is recommended that consumers check their refrigerators or freezers for these products as listed on the FDA website. Any purchased recalled carrots should not be consumed; instead, they should be sealed in a zippered package and disposed of properly. Additionally, cleaning and sanitizing surfaces that came into contact with these carrots is advised to prevent cross-contamination.
For further inquiries about the recall, consumers can contact Grimmway Farms at 800-301-3101 during business hours or visit grimmway.com for more information.
Product descriptions and images of the recalled items can also be found at: https://www.grimmway.com/status-history/?id=3131.