Rich Products Corporation of Buffalo, New York is expanding an earlier recall to include all products produced at its Waycross, Georgia facility. Recalled products have “best by” dates from January 1, 2013 to September 29, 2014. The new recall is an expansion of a recall announced on March 28, 2013. The products were recalled because of potential E. coli contamination. According to a company spokesman, some 10 million pounds of frozen pizza, mozzarella bites, Philly cheese steaks, and other snacks have been recalled. Approximately 3 million pounds of recalled products remain in the marketplace.
The Center for Disease Control has received reports of 24 cases of E. coli in 15 states. Seven people have been hospitalized due to the foodborne illness. The E. coli strain involved in this recall is E. coli O121–a potentially lethal bacteria known as Shiga-toxin producing E. Coli or STECs. Symptoms of E. coli poisoning include abdominal cramps and mild to severe diarrhea, which is often bloody. Ordinarily, little or no fever is present. While the majority of healthy adults experience complete recovery from E. coli poisoning within 5-10 days, some individuals develop a serious complication called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) in which the kidneys can fail, leading to serious kidney damage or death. Young children and elderly people are most susceptible to HUS.
Bill Gisel, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rich Products, stated that the company is cooperating fully with federal, state and local agencies that are investigating the recall.
The recalled products were distributed nationally to retail stores and foodservice distributors. Products manufactured in other Rich Products facilities are not affected.
For more information, contact the Ohio personal injury lawyers at Clark, Perdue & List.
Source: NBC News, “10 million pounds of frozen pizza, snacks recalled in rare E. coli outbreak,” JoNel Alecia, April 4, 2013.
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