Federal health officials are warning about a widespread outbreak of E. coli infections tied to organic carrots that has sickened dozens of people across the country, including seven in New York and New Jersey and one who died in California.

The illnesses have been linked to organic whole bagged carrots and baby carrots sold by Bakersfield, California-based Grimmway Farms under a wide range of brand names, including Whole Foods’ 365, Nature’s Promise, Trader Joe’s and Wegmans. The company recalled the products on Saturday, so they are likely no longer on store shelves but may already be in people’s homes, according to the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Consumers who find these carrots in their refrigerators should throw them away and wash items or surfaces that have touched them with hot, soapy water, the agency said in an advisory on Sunday. The affected produce includes:

Baby Organic Carrots

  • Best-if-used-by dates ranging from Sept. 11, 2024 to Nov. 12, 2024.
  • Brands: 365, Bunny Luv, Cal-Organic, Compliments, Full Circle, Good & Gather, GreenWise, Grimmway Farms, Marketside, Nature's Promise, O-Organic, President's Choice, Raley's, Simple Truth, Sprouts, Trader Joe's, Wegmans, Wholesome Pantry.

Whole Organic Carrots

  • Were available for purchase in stores approximately from Aug. 14, 2024 through Oct. 23, 2024.
  • No best-if-used-by-dates are on the bags of organic whole carrots.
  • Brands: 365, 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

E. coli is a type of bacteria that normally lives in the digestive tract of healthy people and animals, but certain strains can cause serious illness if accidentally ingested, health officials said. Most people infected with those strains will start to experience symptoms like severe stomach cramps or diarrhea about three to four days after eating the contaminated food.

A map of known e. coli cases in the outbreak linked with organic carrots.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

While people typically recover without treatment after five to seven days, severe symptoms can warrant a visit to the hospital. The CDC said anyone experiencing severe diarrhea that is bloody or persists for more than three days, a fever higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit, excessive vomiting, or signs of dehydration — including not urinating much, dry mouth and throat, and dizziness — should call their health care provider immediately.

A total of 39 cases connected to the carrots have been tracked so far in 18 states, leading to 15 hospitalizations and one death. The number of people infected is “likely much higher” than what has been reported so far, because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for E. coli, according to health officials.