Market Day, Store-Bought Cheese Products Recalled for Possible E. Coli

The DuPage County Health Department is advising that Rich Products Corp., Buffalo, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling Farm Rich Mini Quesadillas (PC 35635), Farm Rich Mini Pizza Slices (PC 35643 and PC 37690), Farm Rich Philly Cheese Steaks (PC 35634) and Farm Rich Mozzarella Bites (PC 37443 and PC 37691) distributed in retail stores nationwide. The company also is recalling its Market Day Mozzarella Bites (PC 80435) which are sold during monthly Market Day sales to raise money for schools.

The  products, produced from Nov. 12 to 19, 2012, were recalled due to possible contamination with E. Coli bacteria.

Naperville School District 203 as well as Indian Prairie District 204 families participate in Market Day throughout the school year. 

The Farm Rich products are snack items that consumers bake or microwave at home. According to the Farm Rich website:

"Please note, each of our product packages contain cooking instructions that, if followed, will effectively destroy any E.Coli bacteria. These preparation instructions have been validated following the Grocery Manufacturers Association industry protocol to ensure food safety."

To date there have been no reports of illness associated with this recall. Symptoms of illness include mild to severe diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Blood is often seen in the stool. Usually little or no fever is present. Although most healthy adults can recover completely within 5-10 days, certain individuals can develop a complication called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) which can cause the kidneys to fail. HUS is most likely to occur in young children and the elderly. The condition could lead to serious kidney damage and even death.

Specific product information can be found by visiting the Food Safety Inspection Service’s website

The firm has been working with the Food Safety Inspection Service at USDA, as well as the Food and Drug Administration to investigate and identify the possible source of contamination.

Rich’s has already notified all of its distributors and retailers who have received the product in question and has directed them to remove and destroy the affected product.

Consumers who have purchased these Farm Rich products and have any questions should contact Farm Rich Consumer Relations at 1-888-220-5955 8 am to 8 pm EST Monday through Friday, or visit its website at farmrich.com.