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One person died and almost 40 people contracted E. coli disease after eating fresh carrots sold at major food retailers across the country.

The vegetables were sold under various brand names in 18 states by Walmart, Target, Kroger, Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s.

The infections were linked to whole bagged carrots and baby carrots sold by Grimmway Farms in California, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Sunday.

Carrots are unlikely to still be on store shelves, but they may still be in homes and should be thrown out, the CDC said.

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Grimmway Farms is voluntarily recalling carrots that were also shipped to stores in Canada and Puerto Rico, the Food and Drug Administration said Saturday. According to media reports, the previously family-owned company was sold to private equity firm Teays River Investments in 2020.

All recalled carrots had expiration dates ranging from August 14 to October 23. The dates for the recalled baby carrots were from September 11 to November 12.

Grimmway, based in Bakersfield, Calif., said the company is reviewing its growing, harvesting and processing practices and working with suppliers and health officials on the issue.

The latest wave follows an E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders; this outbreak caused more than 100 people to become ill and one person to die; The youngest was 13 years old and the oldest was 88 years old. A preliminary investigation suggested that raw onions were served. Quarter Pounders were likely the source of the outbreak.

E. coli is a type of bacteria found in the environment, including water, food, and in the intestines of people and animals.

There are many strains of harmless E. coli, but a few strains can make people seriously ill.

According to the CDC, the McDonald’s outbreak is caused by E coli O157:H7, which produces a toxin that causes dangerous diarrhea and can lead to kidney failure and other serious problems.

People can become ill from E. coli poisoning when they consume contaminated food or through contact with animals, the environment, or other infected people.