NEW YORK — A recent E. coli outbreak linked to bagged organic carrots has led to numerous infections, with reports indicating that one individual has unfortunately lost their life due to this infection.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 39 individuals across 18 states have tested positive for the infection, with 15 requiring hospitalization after consuming whole and baby carrots produced by Grimmway Farms.

This farm, which is located in Bakersfield, California, has issued a recall for the contaminated carrots that were sold in various bags under several brand names, including 365, Cal-Organic, Nature’s Promise, O-Organics, Trader Joe’s, and Wegmans, among others.

While these carrots are no longer available for purchase, the CDC strongly advises consumers to refrain from eating any recalled bags of carrots and to inspect their refrigerators and freezers carefully. If any carrots match the recall description, they should be discarded. The majority of reported cases are concentrated in New York, Minnesota, and Washington, while California and Oregon have also seen infections, in addition to several other states nationwide.

This incident is part of a troubling trend, as there have been multiple E. coli outbreaks recently. For instance, over 100 customers at McDonald’s fell ill in October due to an outbreak associated with slivered onions. In the United Kingdom, an outbreak linked to contaminated lettuce resulted in one death and sickened at least 275 others in June. Back in April, organic walnuts were also tied to E. coli infections across 19 states.

Despite the elevated number of outbreaks, experts maintain that, overall, the food supply remains safe. Nonetheless, advancements in preventing E. coli infections have not significantly progressed.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) indicates that the recalled organic baby carrots have best-by dates ranging from September 11 to November 12.

Common symptoms of an E. coli infection typically manifest three to four days post-consumption and include intense stomach cramps, diarrhea (which may be bloody), and vomiting. Those experiencing severe symptoms are encouraged to seek medical assistance and inform their healthcare provider about their food intake, as indicated by the CDC.

E. coli bacteria pose serious risks, leading to potentially fatal infections, particularly among young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems, as highlighted by the FDA.