Farm Rich Frozen Foods Recalled Amid E. Coli Outbreak

An E. Coli food poisoning outbreak that has sickened at least two dozen people, most of which are children, has been traced back to Farm Rich Brand frozen food snacks, including mini quesadillas, pizza slices, cheese steaks and other products. 

On March 28, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced a Farm Rich frozen snacks recall for nearly 200,000 pounds of food.

The recall came after E. Coli illnesses were reported in Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. At least 24 people have fallen ill and eight have been hospitalized. Most of the victims are reportedly children or teens, which are the primary targets for the frozen foods.

Farm Rich mini pizza slices, mini quesadillas, philly cheese steaks, and mozzarella bites and affected by the recall, with all of the frozen foods produced between November 12, 2012, and November 19, 2012. A full list of recalled items is available on the FSIS recall notice.

The illness was tracked back to the frozen food products after a multistate investigation initiated on March 19. A sample of Farm Rich frozen chicken mini quesadillas tested positive for the same strain of E. coli O121 detected in victims.

E. coli is one of the more common causes of food poisoning in the United States. When left untreated, it can lead to dehydration and potentially life-threatening illness.

Symptoms of E. coli poisoning typically only last a few weeks for healthy adults.  However, young children and the elderly could be at risk for more severe illness, where the toxin may enter the blood stream. In rare cases, E. coli infections can lead to kidney failure, known as Hemolytic-Urenia Syndrome (HUS).

Distributors and retailers have been ordered to remove and destroy the recalled foods. Consumers who have the recalled products or who have questions can call Farm Rich Customer Relations at (888) 220-5955.