Buffalo, New York – Rich Products Corporation of Buffalo, New York, which previously announced a voluntary recall of certain Farm Rich® and Market Day® products is expanding its voluntary recall to include all products produced at its Waycross, Georgia plant with “Best By” dates ranging from January 1, 2013 to September 29, 2014 due to possible contamination with Escherichia coli O121 bacteria (“E. coli O121”). The expanded recall is in addition to products recalled on March 28, 2013.
The CDC has reported 24 cases of E. coli 0121 in 15 states. Symptoms of the illness include mild to severe diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Blood is often seen in the stool. Usually little or no fever is present. Although most healthy adults can recover completely within 5-10 days, certain individuals can develop a complication called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) which can cause the kidneys to fail. HUS is most likely to occur in young children and the elderly. The condition could lead to serious kidney damage and even death.
While Rich Products is unaware of any illnesses associated with the products included in the expanded recall, its unwavering safety commitment to its customers caused it to take this action.
“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,” said Bill Gisel, Rich’s President and Chief Executive Officer.
Mr. Gisel added that Rich’s will continue to cooperate fully with federal, state and local agencies investigating this situation.
Specific product information is as follows:
Foodservice Products
The production date range for these products is: Julian Dates 15821182 to 15823088.
| Product Code | Product Description | Julian Dates | UPC Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 65232 | Farm Rich Whole Grain Rich Pepperoni Pizzata 10/2.5lb | 15821182 – 15823088 | 10041322652321 |
| 65233 | Farm Rich 1 oz. Better For You Pizza Dipper 5/5lb. | 15821182 – 15823088 | 10041322652338 |
| 65234 | Farm Rich Turkey Pizzata 9/3lb. | 15821182 – 15823088 | 00041322652348 |
| 65265 | Farm Rich 2 oz. Stuffed Crust Pizza Dippers 2 oz.10/2.7lb. | 15821182 – 15823088 | 10041322652659 |
| 65268 | Farm Rich 1 oz. Stuffed Crust Pizza Dippers 1/25lb. | 15821182 – 15823088 | 10041322652680 |
| 65278 | Farm Rich 2 oz. Better For You Pizza Dipper 2oz. 10/2.7lb. | 15821182 – 15823088 | 00041322652782 |
| 65282 | Pepperoni Pizzata 1/24.75lb. | 15821182 – 15823088 | 00041322652829 |
| 65292 | Farm Rich Handheld Stuffed Pepperoni Pleezer 10/2.57lb. | 15821182 – 15823088 | 10041322652925 |
| 65302 | BBQ Chicken Sandwich Melt 10/2.5lb. | 15821182 – 15823088 | 00041322653024 |
| 65303 | Meatball Marinara Sandwich Melt 10/2.5lb | 15821182 – 15823088 | 00041322653031 |
The products were distributed nationwide to Retail Stores and select Foodservice Distribution Customers.
Rich’s has already notified all of its distributors and customers who have received the product in question, and has directed them to remove and destroy the affected product. All other affected product under Rich’s control has been quarantined and will be destroyed. Rich’s has previously filed with the Reportable Food Registry, ICSR #1029392. A new Reportable Food Registry filing has been made, ICSR # 1029453 and is linked to the original report.
Customers who have purchased these products and have any questions should contact Consumer Relations at 1-888-220-5955 24 hours, 7-days per week, or visit our website at farmrich.com.
*Note to editors: The products in this recall only pertain to the Waycross, Ga. Facility. This recall does NOT include the following Farm Rich products: Mozzarella Sticks, Jalapeño Peppers, Marinara Stuffed Mozzarella Sticks, Mushrooms, Stuffed Pretzel Bites, Queso Cheese Bites, Pepper Bites, Onion Rings and all varieties of Meatballs and French Toast Sticks (These products are manufactured in different facilities that are not affected by the recall).
More Foodservice products–
- 25-lb. cases containing 2.5-lb. foodservice paks of BBQ Chicken Sandwich Melt, UPC code 00041322653024, Product code 65302
- 25-lb. cases containing 2.5-lb. foodservice paks of Meatball Marinara Sandwich Melt, UPC code 00041322653031, Product 65303
- 25-lb. cases containing 2.5-lb. foodservice paks of Farm Rich Whole Grain Rich Pepperoni Pizzata, UPC code 10041322652321, Product code 65232
- 27-lb. cases containing 3-lb. foodservice paks of Farm Rich Turkey Pizzata, UPC code 00041322652348, Product code 65234
- 24.75-lb. foodservice paks of Pepperoni Pizzata, UPC code 00041322652829 , Product code 65282
- 25.7-lb. cases of 2.57-lb. foodservice paks of Farm Rich Handheld Stuffed Pepperoni Pleezer, UPC code 10041322652925, Product code 65292
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, were also recalled March 28. 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
- 7-oz. cartons of Farm Rich mozzarella bites in a pizzeria style crust, UPC code 041322376916
- 22-oz. bags of Market Day Mozzarella Bites, UPC code 041322804358
The products subject to recall were produced between July 1, 2011 and March 29, 2013 then distributed for retail or restaurant 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 outbreak includes 24 cases in 15 states that led to seven hospitalizations and one case of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. 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. Additionally, a sample of leftover Farm Rich mini pepperoni pizza slices product from a Texas case tested positive for the same strain, confirmed by FSIS lab technicians. Ten 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.
Source: USDA FSIS / FDA
