Vegetable Medleys Are Being Recalled Over E. Coli Concerns
Recalls issued for potentially contaminated food seems to be a theme this holiday season, unfortunately. One of the more recent recall efforts is centered around vegetable medleys and whole organic carrots distributed by 4Earth Farms based out of Commerce, California. The company was informed by Grimmway Farms, Inc., that the products mentioned could possibly be contaminated with E. coli via affected carrots. Although there have been no reports of illness due to consumption of the veggies as of this writing, as per the FDA, 4Earth Farms issued a voluntary recall of the product on November 26.
The products were shipped to retail locations and distributors in New Hampshire, Florida, California, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Illinois, and Colorado. Multiple brands of vegetable medleys and whole organic carrots are affected by the recall. Some companies that received these potentially hazardous products include UNFI, Walmart, Kennedy Produce, Sprouts Farmers Market, O.K. Produce, and Albert's Organics. Although the veggies in question will have already passed their best-by dates of September 7 through November 2, that is not the same as an expiration date. Therefore, there is a concern that some folks may still have the affected products stashed away in their freezers or refrigerators.
What you need to do
Despite no reports of illness stemming from the potentially hazardous veggies as of yet, the FDA has published a specific list of affected products and has urged consumers to double-check their fridges and freezers out of an abundance of caution. Certain vegetable medleys or whole organic carrots from the brands 4Earth Farms, Grimmway, Wild Harvest, or Marketside with best-by dates between September 7 and November 2 should be discarded.
It was just weeks ago that a Detroit-based company issued a recall for its ground beef due to E. coli risks, and McDonald's has dealt with the blowback from its E. coli scare by extending a popular deal. Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli — what most of us know as E. coli — can cause several serious symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, cramps, fever, and more. In some cases — especially for young children, seniors, and those who are immunocompromised — the symptoms can become fatal. Folks could start noticing symptoms anywhere from mere hours after being infected, to up to 10 days later. People with questions about the recall are encouraged to contact the company at 855-918-1706, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time.