US-based Rich Products is expanding its voluntary recall of frozen snack foods produced at its Waycross, Georgia facility as they may be contaminated with E. coli O121 bacteria.
On 28 March, the New York-based firm issued a voluntary recall of certain Farm Rich and Market Day products amid fears of E. Coli contamination.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 24 cases of E. coli 0121 in 15 states. So far, there has been one likely source of infection associated with the consumption of Farm Rich and Market Day frozen chicken quesadillas, pizza slices and other snack foods.
Rich Products president and chief executive officer Bill Gisel said: "When it became apparent to us that, despite the expertise of the USDA, the FDA, the scientific community and our own experts, identification of a specific cause was not going to be a simple or short process, we decided to act proactively to expand the recall."
The products in the expanded recall include Farm Rich Whole Grain Rich Pepperoni Pizzata 10/2.5lb, Farm Rich 1 oz. Better For You Pizza Dipper 5/5lb, Farm Rich Turkey Pizzata 9/3lb, Farm Rich 2 oz. Stuffed Crust Pizza Dippers 2 oz.10/2.7lb, Farm Rich 1 oz. Stuffed Crust Pizza Dippers 1/25lb, Farm Rich 2 oz. Better For You Pizza Dipper 2oz. 10/2.7lb, Pepperoni Pizzata 1/24.75lb, Farm Rich Handheld Stuffed Pepperoni Pleezer 10/2.57lb, BBQ Chicken Sandwich Melt 10/2.5lb and Meatball Marinara Sandwich Melt 10/2.5lb.
The recall also includes Farm Rich Mozzarella Bites, Farm Rich Pizza Slices, Farm Rich Mini Quesadillas, Farm Rich Philly Cheese Steaks, Farm Rich Mini Bacon Cheeseburgers, Farm Rich Mini Pizza Slices,Schwan's Mini Meatball Sandwiches, Schwan's Baked Mozzarella Bites and Market Day Mozzarella Bites.
All these products bearing best by dates between 1 January 2013 and 29 September 2014 are included in the recall.
Rich Products has notified all of its distributors and customers who have received the product in question, and has advised them to discard the affected products.
