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| New York Firm Recalls Frozen Mini Quesadilla, Pizza, Cheese Steak and Other Snack Products Due To Possible E. Coli O121 Contamination |
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| Recall Release |
CLASS I RECALL |
| FSIS-RC-025-2013 |
HEALTH RISK: HIGH |
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Congressional and Public Affairs
Richard J. McIntire (202) 720-9113
For FDA inquiries, contact:
Patricia El-Hinnawy (301) 796-4763
WASHINGTON, March 28, 2013 – Rich Products Corporation, a Buffalo, NY firm, is
recalling approximately 196,222 pounds of frozen chicken quesadilla and various other heat treated,
not fully cooked frozen mini meals and snack items because they may be contaminated with E. coli
O121, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.
The following products are subject to FSIS recall: [View Labels (PDF Only)]
- 7.2-oz. cartons of Farm Rich mini pizza slices with cheese pepperoni and sauce in pizza dough, UPC code 041322376909 with a best by date of May 15 or May 16, 2014.
- 22-oz. cartons of Farm Rich mini pizza slices with cheese pepperoni and sauce in pizza dough, UPC code 041322356437 with a best by date of May 15 or May 16, 2014.
- 18-oz. bags of Farm Rich mini quesadillas with cheese, grilled white meat chicken in a crispy crust, UPC code 041322356352 with a best by date of May 14, 2014.
- 21-oz. bags of Farm Rich philly cheese steaks with cheese, beef & onions in a crispy crust, UPC code 041322356345 with a best by date of May 13, 2014.
Each product package above contains the establishment number "EST. 27232" or "P-27233" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
In addition, the following products, which fall under FDA
jurisdiction, are also being recalled. FSIS is issuing this news release to make the public aware that
these products are also considered potentially adulterated and should be properly discarded or destroyed.
- 22-oz. cartons of Farm Rich mozzarella bites in a pizzeria style crust, UPC code 041322374431 with a best by date of May 19, 2014.
- 7-oz. cartons of Farm Rich mozzarella bites in a pizzeria style crust, UPC code 041322376916 with a best by date of May 19, 2014.
- 22-oz. bags of Market Day Mozzarella Bites, UPC code 041322804358 with a best by date of May 12, 2014.
The products subject to recall were produced between Nov. 12, 2012 and Nov. 19, 2012 then distributed for
retail sale nationwide. FSIS and the establishment are concerned that some product may be present in
household freezers.
FSIS was notified of a multistate investigation of E. coli O121 illnesses on March 19, 2013.
Food samples were collected from an ill individual in New York as part of this investigation, and tested by
the New York State Department of Health Wadsworth Laboratory. At present, the cluster includes 24 cases
in 15 states. A sample of a Farm Rich frozen chicken mini quesadilla product from a New York case tested
positive for the outbreak strain of E. coli O121. Eight cases in Michigan, Mississippi, New York,
Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia report consuming Farm Rich products. FSIS is continuing to work
with federal and state public health partners 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.
FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to ensure that steps are taken to make certain that
the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be
posted on the FSIS website at: www.fsis.usda.gov/FSIS_Recalls/
Open_Federal_Cases/index.asp.
Many clinical laboratories do not test for non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), such as
STEC O26, O103, O45, O111, O121 or O145 because it is harder to identify. 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.
Consumers with questions regarding the recall should contact the company's consumer line at (888) 220-5955
from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST Monday through Friday or visit the company website at www.farmrich.com. Media with
questions regarding the recall should contact the company's vice president of communications, Dwight Gram,
at (716) 878-8749.
Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available
24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov or via smartphone at
m.askkaren.gov. "Ask Karen" live chat services are available
Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline
(1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time)
Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day. The online Electronic
Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at:
www.fsis.usda.gov/FSIS_Recalls/
Problems_With_Food_Products/index.asp
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| Retail Distribution List (PDF Only) |
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Last Modified:
March 29, 2013 |
| USDA
Recall Classifications |
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Class I |
This
is a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability
that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences
or death. |
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Class II |
This
is a health hazard situation where there is a remote probability of
adverse health consequences from the use of the product. |
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Class III |
This
is a situation where the use of the product will not cause adverse
health consequences. |
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