Outbreak of E. coli O121 Linked to Frozen pizza and other Snack Products

The causative agent is one of six strains that the USDA added to its list of declared adulterants in June 2011.

A variety of frozen snack products have been connected to an outbreak of E. coli O121 that has sickened at least 24 people in 15 states, according to an outbreak report published on the U.S. Department of Agriculture website Thursday evening.

The discovery of the outbreak has prompted Farm Rich Products Corporation of Buffalo, NY to issue a voluntary recall of its mini pizzas, mini quesadillas, philly cheesesteaks and mozzarella bites.

Each product package above contains the establishment number “EST. 27232″ or “P-27232″ inside the USDA mark of inspection. The products were produced between Nov. 12 and Nov. 19 and then distributed to retailers nationwide.

Recalled products have a high chance of still existing in some customers’ freezers.

A sample of a Farm Rich frozen chicken mini quesadilla from a New York patient tested positive for the outbreak strain, while eight cases in Michigan, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia reported consuming Farm Rich products.

E. coli O121 is one of six strains that the USDA added to its list of declared adulterants in June 2011 alongside O157:H7, which has been an adulterant since 1994.

Source: Food Safety News