Rich Products recalls frozen food products over E. coli contamination

US-based Rich Products is recalling approximately 196,222lbs of frozen chicken quesadilla and various other heat treated, not fully cooked frozen mini meals and snack items as they may be contaminated with E. coli O121.

According to the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the products subject to recall include 7.2oz and 22oz cartons of Farm Rich mini pizza slices with cheese pepperoni and sauce in pizza dough bearing UPC codes 041322376909 and 041322356437 respectively, with a best by date of 15 May 2014 or 16 May 2014.

The recalled products also include 18oz Farm Rich mini quesadillas with cheese, grilled white meat chicken in a crispy crust; and 21oz Farm Rich philly cheese steaks with cheese, beef and onions in a crispy crust.

These products bear UPC codes 041322356352 and 041322356345 and best by dates 14 May 2014 and 13 May 2014 respectively.

Each product mentioned above features the establishment number ‘EST. 27232’ or ‘P-27233’ inside the USDA mark of inspection.

In addition, 22oz and 7oz Farm Rich mozzarella bites bearing UPC codes 041322374431 and 041322376916 respectively with a best by date of 19 May 2014; and 22oz Market Day Mozzarella Bites with UPC code 041322804358 and a best by date of 12 May 2014 are also being recalled by the FSIS.

These products were produced between 12 November 2012 and 19 November 2012 and then distributed for retail sale across the US.

FSIS and Rich Products are concerned that some of the products may be present in household freezers.

Classified as Class I, the recall indicates a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.

On 19 March 2013, FSIS was notified of a multi-state investigation of E. coli O121 illnesses.

Currently, about 24 cases in 15 states in the US have been identified.

As part of the investigation, food samples were collected from an ill individual in New York and tested by the New York State Department of Health Wadsworth Laboratory.

A sample of a Farm Rich frozen chicken mini quesadilla product from a New York case has shown positive for the outbreak strain of E. coli O121.

In addition, illnesses reported in Michigan, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia have been linked with the consumption of Farm Rich products.

FSIS noted that it is working closely with federal and state public health agencies on this investigation, including the New York State Department of Health, New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets, Food and Drug Administration, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Image: The recall includes certain Farm Rich mini quesadilla products. Photo courtesy of FSIS.