Montanans, Heads Up: E. Coli Outbreak Tied to Organic Carrots

Hey Montana, it’s time to double-check your fridge. An E. coli outbreak linked to organic carrots has already caused one death and at least 38 illnesses across 18 states. Cases have popped up as close as Washington, and the CDC warns that the true number of infections could be much higher than what’s reported.

What’s Going On?

The CDC has traced the outbreak to organic carrots from Grimmway Farms, a huge player in the carrot world.

According to NPR,  they’ve recalled a bunch of their products, including baby carrots with “best-if-used-by” dates from September 11 to November 12 and whole carrots sold between August 14 and October 23.

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These carrots were sold at big-name stores like Walmart, Target, and Whole Foods. Even though they’re probably off the shelves by now, they could still be hiding out in your fridge or freezer.

Recalled products and Montana stores that carry them include:

• Cal-Organic: This brand is typically found in larger grocery stores that carry organic produce, such as Safeway or Albertsons
• Good & Gather: This is Target's private label brand.
• Marketside: This brand is associated with Walmart.
• Simple Truth: Mostly sold at Kroger stores, but can also be found at Albertsons

Why This Matters

E. coli isn’t just a stomach bug. It can knock you down pretty hard. Symptoms usually show up 3-4 days after eating something contaminated and can include diarrhea, cramping, and vomiting. Most people recover, but it can lead to something called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can cause kidney failure or worse.

Let's Stay Ahead of It

With Washington just next door, it’s smart to be extra cautious. A quick fridge check could save you and your family a lot of trouble.

For the full list of recalled carrots, visit the CDC website.