As we know (and if you don’t here’s how you can find out) a recent E. coli outbreak linked to Organic Carrots including Bunny Luv Fresh Organic Carrots from Grimmway Farms has put the veggie staple in the hot seat. 17 different brands took their products off the shelves because of the recall issued by GF. That’s a lot of produce! Not only that but these products were distributed in very large quantities and all across the country. In cases like these things can go very wrong, quickly. 39 victims have been reported across 18 states with 15 of them needing to be hospitalized and one death confirmed. Major damage control needed. Now, what exactly is the news here? Well, one of those victims has decided to take legal action and filed the first lawsuit in this carrot mess. Let’s find out more about this story, shall we?
All the details
Melinda Pratt, an unsuspecting consumer, purchased the Bunny Luv Fresh Organic Carrots on September 30th and quickly found herself in a nightmare scenario. After eating the carrots, she developed symptoms of bloody diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Two weeks of suffering later, she couldn’t take it anymore and sought medical attention at her local hospital. It wasn’t until October 21st, when she was diagnosed with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, that the cause of her illness was revealed. Turns out, she had eaten Grimmway Farms’ carrots before getting sick. That’s when things started getting real serious. Melinda’s case isn’t an isolated one. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is currently investigating a nationwide outbreak of E. coli O121 linked to both whole carrots and baby organic carrots produced by Grimmway Farms. So far, there have been 39 confirmed cases across 18 states, with 15 people requiring hospitalization and, unfortunately, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health confirmed Monday that the death of an adult over 65 was linked to E. coli from recalled carrots. The situation is still developing, and more cases are likely to emerge. If you’ve been following along, you’re probably wondering: How could something as harmless as a carrot lead to such trouble? The answer lies in the bacteria itself. E. coli (Escherichia coli) is a nasty little pathogen that can lead to serious gastrointestinal issues. When it produces Shiga toxins in the intestines, it can lead to severe abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting—exactly what Melinda Pratt experienced. But the worst part? It can also lead to kidney failure or even death in severe cases.
Ron Simon takes the case
Ron Simon, a nationally renowned food poisoning attorney has taken Melinda’s case. Simon, who has spent over 31 years fighting for victims of foodborne illness, has made it his mission to hold companies like Grimmway Farms accountable for failing to provide safe food products. In fact, he’s helping hundreds of people file lawsuits against the carrot giant, ensuring they’re properly compensated for the pain, suffering, and medical costs they’ve incurred. In addition to the lawsuits, Simon has also set up a Grimmway Farms E. Coli Claim Center, a toll-free hotline at 1-888-335-4901, where victims can seek assistance, file claims, and learn more about their rights. If you, unfortunately, find yourself in a similar situation, you’re not alone.
“Shiga toxin-producing E. coli can be severely dangerous to humans. Any consumer still in possession of any of these carrots should dispose of them immediately and contact their doctor if experiencing symptoms of E. coli infection.” said Simon. “Through this and other lawsuits we are going to make sure that all of the victims are fairly and fully compensated for their injuries, and that Grimmway Farms takes steps to prevent this from ever happening again.”
What to do?
If you’ve recently bought Bunny Luv carrots, don’t panic—but do act. The CDC and health authorities are advising consumers who have purchased these specific carrots to dispose of them immediately. If you’re experiencing symptoms like those listed earlier—nausea, vomiting, bloody diarrhea—seek medical help right away. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Wanna know more about cases like these? Talk to our team!
