Carrots sold at Trader Joe’s and Wegmans recalled due to possible E. coli contamination

If you’re doing your weekly grocery run at Trader Joe’s or Wegmans, it might be time to check your refrigerator.

Grimmway Farms said in a news release that some of its organic whole carrots and baby carrots sold at grocery chains may be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli.

The carrot makers, headquartered in Bakersfield, California, voluntarily recalled the carrots after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found they may be linked to an outbreak.

Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), which mainly affects children under 5 and the elderly, can cause bloody diarrhea, severe stomach cramps and vomiting, according to the CDC. STEC is also the most common cause of hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can lead to kidney failure and even death.

E. coli usually spreads through the feces of animals or people and can then contaminate food and water.

Grimmway Farms shipped the recalled carrots to distribution centers in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico and sold them under multiple labels, including Trader Joe’s, Wegmans, Bunny-luv, Nature’s Promise, Simple Truth and 365. Grimmway Farms shared photos of all the labels in issue for customer awareness.

The whole carrots that were recalled were sold in stores from August 14 through October 23, while the expiration date of the baby carrots ranges from September 11 to November 12, 2024, Grimmway Farms said.

Although they are no longer sold in stores, Grimmway Farms warned customers who may still have them in the refrigerator to throw them away.

“We take our role in ensuring the safety and quality of our products seriously,” president and CEO Jeff Huckaby said in a statement. “The health of our customers and the integrity of our products are our highest priorities, and we are conducting a thorough review of our growing, harvesting and processing practices.”

An E. coli outbreak reported last month linked to chopped onions on McDonald’s Quarter Pounders sickened at least 104 people, killing one. The outbreak affected fourteen states, including Colorado, Montana and Nebraska.