The day after the recall was announced, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced an investigation into the carrot E. Coli outbreak, indicating that the agency is aware of at least 39 cases of food poisoning reported by consumers in 18 different states.

Given the long shelf-life for the whole and baby carrots, which were available for purchase between August 14 and October 23, 2024, health officials are concerned that many of the recalled Grimmway Farms organic carrots are still in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers, as neither refrigeration nor freezing kills E. coli bacteria.

Of the 39 illnesses reported, eight have occurred in Washington state, five in Minnesota and five in New York. Illnesses have also occurred in Arkansas, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Wyoming.

Since most consumers are just now learning about the carrot recall, and the incubation period for E. coli infections can last from one to 10 days, the number of illnesses is expected to increase over the coming weeks.

While all of the recalled carrots should have been removed from store shelves, consumers are being urged to check their refrigerators for any organic carrots purchased since August 14, 2024.

All of the recalled organic whole carrots were sold in 1lb, 2lb, 5lb, 6lb, 10lb and 25lb bags, which may not have  “Best-if-Used-by-Dates.” However, the affected baby carrots may have “Best-if-Used-by-Dates” printed on the bag, which range from September 11, 2024 through November 12, 2024. They were sold in 12oz, 1lb, 2lb, 3lb and 5lb bags.

Customers who believe they may still have the affected carrots in their possession should not eat them. Instead, the carrots should be immediately destroyed or discarded, and any areas they may have touched should be cleaned and sanitized.

Any customers with questions or issues concerning the affected products can contact Grimmway’s customer services desk at 1-800-301-3101, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET, or visit www.grimmway.com.