One person has died and at least 38 people have become ill following an E. coli outbreak linked to organic carrots, according to federal health officials.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Sunday that cases emerged between Sept. 6 and Oct. 28 across 18 states, with Washington, Minnesota and New York reporting the highest number of cases.
The CDC warned that the outbreak may have reached additional states and the actual number of infected individuals is likely much higher than reported.
“This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for E. coli.,” the agency said in a statement .
Investigations indicate that Grimmway Farms was the common supplier of the organic carrots consumed by individuals before they got sick, according to the CDC. On Saturday, Grimmway Farms — which is one of the world’s largest producers of carrots — initiated a recall for multiple sizes and brands of its organic baby and whole carrots.