Possible E. coli contamination spurs Farm Rich products recall

Possible contamination with E. coli has prompted the Rich Products Corp. to voluntarily recall the following products: Farm Rich Mini Quesadillas, Farm Rich Mini Pizza Slices, Farm Rich Philly Cheese Steaks, Farm Rich Mozzarella Bites and Market Day Mozzarella Bites, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The Baltimore-based company initiated the recall when an unspecified number of illnesses were linked to the products.

Escherichia coli infection causes mild to severe diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Blood is often seen in the stool. Healthy adults can recover completely within five to 10 days, although young children and the elderly face a higher risk of serious kidney damage, or potentially death, according to the FDA.

The products were distributed to retailers nationally. (Market Day is a fundraising food cooperative that distributed the Mozzarella Bites.)

Specific product information is as follows:

Farm Rich Mini Quesadillas are packaged in 18-ounce bags. The product code is 35635, the production date is Nov. 14, 2012, with a Julian Date of 15822319. The UPC Code is 041322356352 and the “Best By” date on the package is May 14, 2014.

Farm Rich Mini Pizza Slices are packaged in 22-ounce bags. The product code is 35643, the production date is Nov. 15, 2012, with a Julian Date of 15822320 and Nov. 16, 2012, with a Julian Date 1582 2321. The UPC Code is 041322356437 and the “Best By” date on the package is May 15 or May 16, 2014.

Farm Rich Mini Pizza Slices are also packaged in a 7.2-ounce carton. The product code is 37690, the production date is also Nov. 15, 2012, with a Julian Date of 1582 2320 and Nov. 16, 2012, with a Julian Date 1582 2321. The UPC Code is 041322376909 and the “Best By” date on the package is May 15 or May 16, 2014.

Farm Rich Philly Cheese Steaks are packaged in 21-ounce bags. The product code is 35634, the production date is Nov. 13, 2012, with a Julian Date of 1582 2318. The UPC Code is 041322356345 and the “Best By” date on the package is May 13, 2014.

Farm Rich Mozzarella Bites are packaged in 22-ounce bags. The product code is 37443, the production date is Nov. 19, 2012, with a Julian Date of 1582 2324. The UPC Code is 041322374431 and the “Best By” date on the package is May 19, 2014.

Farm Rich Mozzarella Bites are packaged in a 7-ounce carton. The product code is 37691, the production date is Nov. 19, 2012, with a Julian Date of 1582 2324. The UPC Code is 041322376916 and the “Best By” date on the package is May 19, 2014.

Market Day Mozzarella Bites are packaged in a 22-ounce carton. The product code is 80435, the production date is Nov. 12, 2012, with a Julian Date of 1582 2317. The UPC Code is 041322804358 and the “Best By” date on the package is May 12, 2014.

The company has directed retailers and distributors to remove and destroy the affected products, the FDA said.

Consumers who have purchased these Farm Rich products and have any questions should contact Farm Rich Consumer Relations at (888) 220-5955 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. EST Monday through Friday, or visit the website at farmrich.com.

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