Endwell Woman Sues Wegmans, Carrot Producer in E. coli Case

Wegmans and a California company are being sued by a Broome County resident for health problems she believes are linked to carrots contaminated with E. coli bacteria.

73-year-old Denise Dixon of Endwell contends she became ill after eating Grimmway Farms carrots she had bought at the Wegmans store in Johnson City.

According to a complaint filed in Broome County Supreme Court, Dixon sought  medical treatment at Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City. She was hospitalized for eight days and now is being treated for permanent kidney failure.

The court document indicates Dixon was advised she had tested positive for E. coli. She then was interviewed by the health department which confirmed she had eaten Grimmway carrots before getting sick.

Joseph O'Connor, an attorney who is representing Dixon in the case, told WNBF News the woman is doing "much better" since her hospitalization.

O'Connor said Dixon often snacked on carrots. The complaint states she had purchased Grimmway carrots from the Broome County Wegmans store "on various occasions in September and October."

Grimmway announced a recall for its organic whole and baby carrots on November 16, after Dixon became ill.

The Food and Drug Administration reports 39 illnesses and one death have been linked to the E. coli cases involving Grimmway Farms carrots.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.