E. coli Outbreak Linked to Organic Carrots

Key points

Investigation start date: October 15, 2024
Investigation status: Closed
Recall issued: Yes

This outbreak is over. These carrots are past their shelf life and are no longer for sale. Even when there are not any active E. coli outbreaks you can still take steps to protect yourself from getting sick from E. coli.

Fast Facts

United States
  • Cases: 48
  • Hospitalizations: 20
  • Deaths: 1
  • States: 19

What you should do

Follow these four steps to prevent getting sick from E. coli.

  • Clean: Wash your hands, utensils, and surfaces often. Rinse fruits and vegetables under running water before eating, cutting, or peeling.
  • Separate: Keep food that won't be cooked separate from raw meat, poultry, and seafood.
  • Cook: Use a food thermometer to make sure you have cooked your food to a temperature high enough to kill germs.
  • Chill: Refrigerate perishable food (food that goes bad) within 2 hours. If the outside temperature is hotter than 90°F, refrigerate within 1 hour. Thaw food in the refrigerator, not on the counter.

Symptoms of E. coli

  • Most people infected with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) experience severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting.
    • Symptoms usually start 3 to 4 days after swallowing the bacteria.
    • Most people recover without treatment after 5 to 7 days.
  • Some people may develop serious kidney problems (hemolytic uremic syndrome, also called HUS) and would need to be hospitalized.