By admin 
A spate of E. coli outbreaks in recent months has consumers across the country and in Minnesota on high alert.
The latest outbreak was related to Grimmway Farms Organic Whole and Baby Carrots reportedly sickening five Minnesotans.
The age of those who were ill was between 15 and 44 years. Officials said they became ill between September 21 and October 6 and one person was hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
The illnesses have been linked to eating organic carrots purchased at Costco, Target and HyVee, and brands include Good and Gather, Bunny Luv and Cal-Organic.
The Minnesota Department of Health said this last month Ground beef is suspected to make 10 people sick and putting two people in hospital.
“There are all kinds of different types of E. coli, but only some of them can cause diarrhea, and some can be quite serious. That’s why we’re so concerned about these outbreaks,” said Carlota Medus of MDH’s Foodborne Disease Division.
MDH explained that the contaminated ground beef was distributed to restaurants across the state.
“If you have diarrhea, especially if it is bloody and lasts more than a few days, you should really contact your healthcare provider,” Medus said.
Officials said the people who became ill ate at the Hen House eatery in Minneapolis or Red Cow locations in Hennepin, Ramsey and Olmsted counties between Oct. 31 and Nov. 7.
Red Cow published a statement on Facebook explaining that the meat has been removed and they no longer work with that supplier.
“If you eat a rare hamburger and it’s contaminated, which doesn’t happen very often, but if it does happen, that bacteria will actually survive,” Medus said. “It’s a better idea to cook your burger well done or medium done.”
MDH added laundry products can help prevent diseases.
The state health department is tracking these cases by talking to sick patients. They explained that it is important to reach out.
“We need the public to answer their phones and answer our questions because that is one of the ways we use to find out if there is an outbreak,” Medus said.