Thanksgiving dinner takes time and effort, so keeping food safe is key. No one wants the holiday ruined by contaminated food.
Several foods are under investigation by the FDA and USDA for contamination. Here's what you need to know about three recent recalls.
Grimmway Farms in California issued a voluntary recall of organic carrots due to an E. coli outbreak. This includes bagged organic whole and baby carrots sold from August 14 through October 23, 2024. Affected brands include 365, Bunny Luv, Trader Joe’s, and many others.
The recalled baby carrots have best-if-used-by dates from September 11 to November 12, 2024. Whole carrots were sold in various bag sizes, including Bunny Luv 50-pound bags and Good & Gather 1-pound bags.
The FDA said these carrots are likely no longer in stores but may still be in homes. “Consumers should check their refrigerators and freezers and should not eat recalled bagged organic whole or baby carrots,” the FDA warned. Throw them out and sanitize surfaces they touched.
If you stored organic carrots without their original packaging and aren’t sure of the brand, don’t eat them. The FDA recommends discarding them immediately.
Wolverine Packing Co. in Detroit, Michigan, recalled nearly 168,000 pounds of ground beef for potential E. coli contamination. Fresh ground beef has a use-by date of November 14, 2024, while frozen products show an October 22, 2024, production date.
These products were shipped to restaurants nationwide. The USDA urged establishments not to serve the contaminated meat. “These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase,” the agency advised.
Yu Shang Food, Inc. in South Carolina recalled about 73,000 pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry for potential listeria contamination. Products produced before October 28, 2024, are affected.
These items were available in stores and online. FSIS warned consumers to check their refrigerators and freezers. "These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase," the agency stated.
Listeria can cause fever, nausea, and vomiting. Fox News’ Dr. Marc Siegel also highlighted the risks of E. coli. “It causes blood diarrhea and rarely kidney failure,” he said. Antibiotics aren’t typically used as they may worsen the infection.
The risk of illness is low. Dr. Siegel explained, “There are over 150,000 pounds involved and only 15 known cases.” He recommended cooking meat above 160 degrees and avoiding cross-contamination between produce and raw meat.
Keep your Thanksgiving safe by staying informed and taking precautions.