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    • One dead and dozens sick in the E.coli epidemic linked to carrots sold in a large US supermarket
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    One dead and dozens sick in the E.coli epidemic linked to carrots sold in a large US supermarket

    Online Niel Posted on

    At least one person has died and dozens are sick after an E. coli outbreak linked to carrots.

    In total, 39 people were infected and 15 taken to HOSPITALS in 18 states after eating bagged carrots (baby and whole), the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Sunday.

    Some of the recalled carrots

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    Some of the recalled carrotsCredit: FDA
    While the vegetables are no longer in stores, the CDC warned people to check their freezers

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    While the vegetables are no longer in stores, the CDC warned people to check their freezersCredit: FDA
    Symptoms of E.coli can include vomiting, fever and chills

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    Symptoms of E.coli can include vomiting, fever and chills

    Most affected people live in New York state, Minnesota and Washington, followed by California and Oregon.

    The carrots, sold under several names by Grimmway Farms, have since been recalled from the shelves of retailers including From Trader Joe’s and Wegmans.

    And while the vegetables are no longer in stores, the CDC warned people to check their refrigerators and freezers and throw out potentially infected carrots.

    All of the recalled carrots were sold between August 14 and October 23.

    The affected organic vegetables were sold under the following brands: 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 and 365.

    Baby carrots with optimal dates if used between September 11 and November 12 were pulled from Sprouts, Raley’s, President’s Choice and Grimmway Farms.

    Grimmway Farms President and CEO Jeff Huckaby said in a statement that the company is reviewing its “growing, harvesting and processing practices.”

    “Our food safety team is working with our suppliers and health authorities,” he added.

    It’s the latest in a string of E.coli focus.

    In October, over a hundred McDonald’s customers in the US felt sick in an onion-related outbreak.

    Man ‘still seriously ill 16 months after eating takeaway kebab that gave 50 customers food poisoning’

    In June, in the UK, one person died in a outbreak related to lettuce in sandwiches and wraps, which sickened another 275 people.

    E.coli are common bacteria, but sometimes they cause disease, usually vomiting and diarrhea.

    Symptoms of the bug usually appear three to four days after ingesting the bacteria.

    It can be fatal in young children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.

    What are the symptoms of E.coli?

    Most strains of E.coli are harmless, but some can cause serious food poisoning.

    This is the case with Shiga toxin-producing E.coli (Stick), a bacteria that can cause serious food borne diseases.

    Some people who are exposed to STEC do not get sick. Others develop stomach cramps and bloody diarrhea.

    Symptoms may also include vomiting, fever and chills.

    In severe cases, the infection can affect organs such as the kidneys.

    Symptoms can appear anywhere from one to ten days after exposure, but usually appear around three to four days after exposure.

    Most people affected by the bug will get better without treatment within a week. Patients are advised to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.

    Are you in danger of getting it?

    People can become infected with:

    • Eating contaminated food
    • Contact with infected animals either directly or through accidental contact with animal faeces, for example on farms, pet farms and campsites
    • Contact with other people suffering from the disease (through inadequate hand hygiene after using the toilet, before handling food – especially in households, nurseries, children’s schools or both).
    • Drinking water from improperly treated water sources
    • Swimming or playing in contaminated water, such as ponds or streams

    STEC are highly infectious because very few bacteria are needed to cause disease.

    This means the disease can easily spread within families and other places such as nurseries, primary schools, nursing homes and hospitals where there are young children and others who may have difficulty keeping clean.

    How can you protect yourself from STEC?

    A STEC infection can be prevented by taking the following precautions:

    • Cook all ground meat products (burgers, meatballs, meatballs) thoroughly until the color is the same throughout and no blood flows from them
    • Make sure fridges are working properly – bacteria grow faster at temperatures above 4ac
    • Leave cooked food, meat and dairy products at room temperature for a short time
    • Store uncooked meat under cooked meat and salad vegetables to avoid juices dripping onto ready-to-eat foods
    • Keep uncooked and cooked meat on separate plates and avoid any contact between raw and cooked meat
    • Wash all salad vegetables thoroughly and do not prepare them with utensils that have also been used for raw meat
    • Children and the elderly who are particularly susceptible to the severe effects of STEC should avoid eating or drinking unpasteurized dairy products.
    • People who have been ill should not prepare food for others for at least 48 hours after they have recovered
    • Boil any drinking water if you are unsure of its source
    • Do not swim in water that you think may be contaminated by cattle and sheep in nearby fields
    • Wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilet (or helping others, including changing nappies), handling raw meat, before eating and after contact with animals

    Source: PHE + USCDC

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