Walmart is recalling Farm Rich Pizza Slices from its stores nationwide because they may be contaminated with E.coli. The frozen pepperoni pizza slices were sold in 7.2 oz cartons and 22 oz cartons with “EST. 27232” or “P-27233” stamped inside the USDA mark of inspection. The “best by” dates for both sizes under recall is May 15 or May 16, 2014.
The products under recall contain cheese, pepperoni, sauce and dough, according to information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which, along with Farm Rich, has posted the recall on its website. The pizza slices are among several Farm Rich items being recalled for potential E. coli contamination including: mini chicken and cheese quesadillas, mini mozzarella bites and cheesesteak sandwiches.
Consumers who have these products in their freezers should not eat them. At least 24 people in 15 states have contracted E.coli infections after eating the recalled items. Most of them, almost 80 percent, are under the age of 21. Eight people have been hospitalized. At least one patient is receiving hospital care to treat hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) a serious, sometimes life threatening, complication that develops after some E. coli infections. With HUS, filters in the kidneys become clogged leading to kidney failure.
Symptoms of an E.coli infection include abdominal cramping and diarrhea that is sometimes bloody. Anyone who ate a recalled product and develops these symptoms should see a health care provider.
