Totino’s Pizza Products Recalled Due to E. coli Contamination — May be Linked to National Outbreak
November 2, 2007—Denver—Totino’s
and Jeno’s brand frozen meat pizzas distributed at retail
outlets nationwide, including Albertsons and Safeway stores
in Colorado, have been recalled due to possible E. coli
contamination, prompting state health officials to alert
consumers not to eat the products. Michelle Motsinger, a program manager with the Colorado
Department of Public Health and Environment’s Consumer
Protection Division, advised, “The recalled products have
been pulled off store shelves in Colorado. However, please
check your refrigerators or freezers for any of the products
and either discard them or return them to the place of
purchase for a refund.” She said E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium
that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. The very
young, seniors and people with compromised immune systems
are the most susceptible to foodborne illness. “There
haven’t been any illnesses reported in Colorado,” Motsinger
said. “However, anyone experiencing symptoms after eating
the products should contact a health care provider.” The following products have been recalled:
- 10.2-ounce packages of “Totino’s, The Original Crisp Crust
Party Pizza, Pepperoni.”
- 10.2-ounce packages of “Totino’s, The Original Crisp
Crust Party Pizza, Classic Pepperoni."
- 10.2-ounce packages of “Totino’s, The Original Crisp Crust
Party Pizza, Pepperoni Trio.”
- 10.7-ounce packages of “Totino’s, The Original Crisp Crust
Party Pizza, Combination Sausage and Pepperoni Pizza.”
- 10.5-ounce packages of “Totino’s, The Original Crisp Crust
Party Pizza, Three Meat Sausage, Canadian Style Bacon and
Pepperoni Pizza.”
- 10.9-ounce packages of “Totino’s, The Original Crisp Crust
Party Pizza, Supreme Sausage & Pepperoni Pizza with Green
Peppers and Onions.”
- 6.8-ounce packages of “Jeno’s Crisp `n Tasty Pizza,
Pepperoni.”
- 7.0-ounce packages of “Jeno’s Crisp `n Tasty Pizza,
Combination Sausage And Pepperoni Pizza.”
- 7.2-ounce packages of “Jeno’s Crisp `n Tasty Pizza,
Supreme Sausage and Pepperoni with Green Peppers and Onion
Pizza.”
- Each package also bears the establishment number “Est. 7750”
inside the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) mark of
inspection as well as a “best if used by” date on or before
“02 Apr 08 WS.”
The problem was discovered following an investigation by the
Tennessee Department of Health in coordination with the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention involving a multi
state cluster of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses that may be
linked to the product. Illnesses occurred in Illinois (1),
Kentucky (3), Missouri (2), New York (2), Ohio (1),
Pennsylvania (1), South Dakota (1), Tennessee (8), Virginia
(1) and Wisconsin (1). Illness onset dates ranged between
July 20 and Oct. 10. All patients have recovered. The
investigation into the multi state illness outbreak is
ongoing. The voluntary recall by the manufacturer, General Mills
Operations, of Wellston, Ohio, was announced Wednesday by
the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and
Inspection Service. For more information, the public may call Michelle Motsinger
at 303-692-3620. --30-- |
