Farm Rich Recall Expanded Due to E. Coli Risk

A recall of Farm Rich, Market Day and Schwan’s frozen food products has been expanded due to a possible risk of E.Coli contamination, which has already sickened at least 24 people in 15 states. 

The Farm Rich recall expansion was announced by the Food and Drug Administration on April 4, after a thorough investigation by government officials was initiated to find the source of the E. coli outbreak and quarantine the contamination.

The expanded recall includes all Farm Rich and Market Day products produced at a Waycross, Georgia plant, which have “Best By” dates ranging from January 1, 2013 to September 29, 2014. The recalled products are various flavors of cheese steaks, mozzarella bites, pizza, sandwiches, and quesadillas, which were sold under the Farm Rich, Market Day and Schwan’s brand-names.

The initial Farm Rich frozen food recall was issued late last week, including nearly 200,000 pounds of food possibly contaminated with E. Coli. Through a multi-state investigation, government officials were able to match a strain of E. Coli in one of the 24 reported illnesses to a strain of E. Coli collected from Farm Rich frozen chicken mini quesadilla.

For healthy individuals E. Coli will typically cause mild to severe diarrhea and abdominal cramps, bloody stools, and sometimes minor fevers lasting between 5 and 10 days. Individuals such as young children or the sick and elderly may be affected more because of a weakened immune system where the contamination could lead to a condition called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) which could lead to kidney failure and even death.

The frozen food products were distributed nationwide to various retailers and select Foodservice Distribution Customers. Farm Rich announced that they have already notified all possible distributors and customers who have received the possibly contaminated products and are asking they remove and destroy the food products. Consumers may contact Farm Rich at 1-888-220-5955 or visit them online at www.farmrich.com for any further questions or comments.