Category: recalls

15-State E. coli Outbreak Triggers Recall – Update

Rich Products Corporation (Buffalo, NY) has recalled more than 196,000 pounds of frozen chicken quesadilla and various other heat-treated, not fully cooked frozen mini meals and snack items in the wake of an outbreak of 24 confirmed cases of E. coli O121 illnesses in 15 US states.

Alabama (1), Arkansas (1), Illinois (1), Indiana (2), Michigan (2), Mississippi (1), New York (3), Ohio (3), Pennsylvania (1), South Dakota (1), Texas (3), Utah (1), Virginia (1), Washington (1), and Wisconsin (2) reported illnesses to CDC. More than three-fourths (78%) of the victims are under 21 years of age; seven people were hospitalized.

Eight of the outbreak victims – residents of Michigan, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia – reported consuming Farm Rich brand products. The New York Department of Health found the outbreak strain of E. coli O121 in a sample of Farm Rich frozen chicken mini quesadilla product obtained from a victim in that state. USDA is working with state and federal public health agencies – including FDA and CDC – on this outbreak investigation. CDC has not yet released a complete list of the 15 states.

E. coli O121 is one of six non-O157 Shiga toxin producing E. coli serogroups that is recognized by the USDA as an adulterant in certain raw beef products.

The manufacturer has recalled the following products in cooperation with USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (items 1-4) and FDA (items 5-7):

  1. Farm Rich mini pizza slices with cheese pepperoni and sauce in pizza dough (7.2-oz cartons; UPC 041322376909; Best by date May 15 or May 16, 2014)
  2. Farm Rich mini pizza slices with cheese pepperoni and sauce in pizza dough (22-oz cartons; UPC 041322356437 Best by date May 15 or May 16, 2014)
  3. Farm Rich mini quesadillas with cheese, grilled white meat chicken in a crispy crust (18-oz bags; UPC 041322356352; Best by date of May 14, 2014)
  4. Farm Rich philly cheese steaks with cheese, beef & onions in a crispy crust (21-oz bags; UPC 041322356345; Best by date May 13, 2014)
  5. Farm Rich mozzarella bites in a pizzeria style crust (22-oz cartons; UPC 041322374431; Best by date of May 19, 2014)
  6. Farm Rich mozzarella bites in a pizzeria style crust (7-oz cartons; UPC 041322376916; Best by date of May 19, 2014)
  7. Market Day Mozzarella Bites (22-oz bags; UPC 041322804358; Best by date of May 12, 2014)

The recalled products were manufactured between November 12, 2012 and November 19, 2012 and supplied several major retail chains for distribution nationwide, including: Food City, Giant Eagle, Hannaford, Kroger, ShopRite, Spartan Stores and it’s affiliated chains, Tops, Walmart (nationwide), Wegmans, Winn-Dixie (South Florida stores), and various independent grocery stores. Other retailers also may have carried the recalled products. Consumers who may have purchased any of the recalled products should check their freezers and discard these items, or return them to the retailer.

According to USDA, infection with E. coli O121 can result in dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps 2-8 days (3-4 days, on average) after exposure to the organism. While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called HUS, Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5-years old and older adults. Symptoms of HUS may include fever, abdominal pain, pale skin tone, fatigue, small, unexplained bruises or bleeding from the nose and mouth, decreased urination, and swelling. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.

15-State E. coli Outbreak Triggers Recall

Rich Products Corporation (Buffalo, NY) has recalled more than 196,000 pounds of frozen chicken quesadilla and various other heat-treated, not fully cooked frozen mini meals and snack items in the wake of an outbreak of 24 confirmed cases of E. coli O121 illnesses in 15 US states.

Eight of the outbreak victims – residents of Michigan, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia – reported consuming Farm Rich brand products. The New York Department of Health found the outbreak strain of E. coli O121 in a sample of Farm Rich frozen chicken mini quesadilla product obtained from a victim in that state. USDA is working with state and federal public health agencies – including FDA and CDC – on this outbreak investigation. CDC has not yet released a complete list of the 15 states.

E. coli O121 is one of six non-O157 Shiga toxin producing E. coli serogroups that is recognized by the USDA as an adulterant in certain raw beef products.

The manufacturer has recalled the following products in cooperation with USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (items 1-4) and FDA (items 5-7):

  1. Farm Rich mini pizza slices with cheese pepperoni and sauce in pizza dough (7.2-oz cartons; UPC 041322376909; Best by date May 15 or May 16, 2014)
  2. Farm Rich mini pizza slices with cheese pepperoni and sauce in pizza dough (22-oz cartons; UPC 041322356437 Best by date May 15 or May 16, 2014)
  3. Farm Rich mini quesadillas with cheese, grilled white meat chicken in a crispy crust (18-oz bags; UPC 041322356352; Best by date of May 14, 2014)
  4. Farm Rich philly cheese steaks with cheese, beef & onions in a crispy crust (21-oz bags; UPC 041322356345; Best by date May 13, 2014)
  5. Farm Rich mozzarella bites in a pizzeria style crust (22-oz cartons; UPC 041322374431; Best by date of May 19, 2014)
  6. Farm Rich mozzarella bites in a pizzeria style crust (7-oz cartons; UPC 041322376916; Best by date of May 19, 2014)
  7. Market Day Mozzarella Bites (22-oz bags; UPC 041322804358; Best by date of May 12, 2014)

The recalled products were manufactured between November 12, 2012 and November 19, 2012 and supplied to Walmart for nationwide distribution. Consumers who may have purchased any of the recalled products should check their freezers and discard these items, or return them to Walmart.

According to USDA, infection with E. coli O121 can result in dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps 2-8 days (3-4 days, on average) after exposure to the organism. While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called HUS, Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5-years old and older adults. Symptoms of HUS may include fever, abdominal pain, pale skin tone, fatigue, small, unexplained bruises or bleeding from the nose and mouth, decreased urination, and swelling. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.

Cheese Blamed For Australia Listeria Outbreak

Authorities in several Australian states are investigating an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes that has sickened eight people in New South Wales (3), Victoria (2), Queensland (1), Tasmania (1) and Western Australia (1). Three more cases are under investigation and may also be part of the outbreak. No other details have been released.

According to health warnings posted by the New South Wales and Victoria departments of health, the outbreak is linked to a number of Jindi and Wattle Valley brand soft cheeses sold at delicatessens and supermarkets throughout Australia. On December 19th, a recall notice for the following cheeses was posted on the Food Standards Australia New Zealand website:

  • Jindi Brie – 1 kg
  • Jindi Camembert – 1 kg
  • Jindi Food Service Brie – 1 kg
  • Wattle Valley Brie – 1 kg
  • Wattle Valley Camembert – 1 kg

All of the recalled cheeses carry a Best Before date of 21 December 2012. As these cheeses are commonly cut into smaller portions for sale to the public, the original identifying packaging may no longer be available.

Advice to Consumers

  • Consumers are advised to check the best before date of any Jindi or Wattle Valley soft cheeses and, if from the identified batch, they should discard it or return to the place of purchase for a full refund.
  • Consumers who have purchased a cut portion of camembert or brie from a supermarket or delicatessen who are unsure of the brand should discard it. If in doubt, THROW IT OUT.
  • Healthy people usually show only mild symptoms. However, in people at risk, early symptoms of listeriosis include fever, headache, tiredness and aches and pains. Listeria monocytogenes can cause miscarriages in pregnant women, stillbirths, and death in people with compromised immune systems. Anyone who experiences symptoms consistent with listeriosis and who consumed brie or camembert within 70 days prior to becoming ill should seek immediate medical attention.