Health officials warn of E. coli risk from recalled carrots

WEST LEBANON — State and federal health officials are advising consumers not to eat multiple brands of recalled bagged organic whole and baby carrots supplied by Grimmway Farms.

The carrots, which were sold under brand names such as 365, Good & Gather, Nature’s Promise and Trader Joe’s, have been linked to a multistate outbreak of a type of E. coli bacteria, according to a news release issued Tuesday by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.

Public health officials encourage the public to throw away the recalled products and sanitize any surfaces they may have touched.

It is unlikely that the recalled carrots are still on store shelves, but consumers may still have them in their refrigerators or freezers. The whole carrots were available for purchase from Aug. 14 through Oct. 23, while the baby carrots include specific best-if-used-by dates printed on the bags ranging from Sept. 11 to Nov. 12.

E. coli is a potentially deadly bacteria that can cause severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea, vomiting and dehydration, depending on the strain. Older adults, young children and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of E. coli infection and severe illness.

Those concerned about E. coli infection or illness should contact their health care provider. New Hampshire residents diagnosed with an illness related to E. coli should contact the New Hampshire Division of Public Health Services at 603-271-4496. More information about the recall is online at: tinyurl.com/2bfp7lwt