CDC: 24 E. Coli Illnesses Linked to Frozen Foods

Farm Rich frozen quesadillas, mozzarella bites and other products recalled

Health officials say at least 24 people have become sick from an outbreak of E. coli infections linked to frozen snack foods marketed to children.

No one has died, but eight people, mostly kids or teens, were hospitalized.

An investigation detected E. coli in an open package of Farm Rich brand frozen chicken quesadillas at an ill person's home.

On Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported illnesses in Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.

The Buffalo, N.Y.-based Rich Products Corp. has recalled quesadillas, mozzarella bites, mini pizza slices and philly cheese steaks made in November.

The following products are being recalled:

  • 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 contains the establishment number "EST. 27232" or "P-27233" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The following products are also being recalled:

  • 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.

A list of the recalled products can also be found on the company's website.

People with questions about the recall should contact the Rich Products' consumer line at 888-220-5955 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. CST Monday through Friday or visit the company's website.

More: CDC report

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