An uncommon strain of E. coli, E. coli O121, was the source of two of four multistate E.coli outbreaks in the last two years. A 2013 outbreak was linked to Farm Rich frozen products, and a 2014 outbreak was linked to raw clover sprouts produced by Evergreen Fresh Sprouts of Idaho.
The sproutbreak sickened 19 people in six states who ate the contaminated sprouts on sandwiches served at Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwich locations, the Pita Pit, and Daanen’s Deli. Illnesses were reported in California (1), Idaho (3), Michigan (1), Montana (2), Utah (1), and Washington (11).
FDA investigators found unsanitray conditions at the Evergreen facility including: a water pipe used for misting that could not be flushed, mold growth and dripping condensate off another water pipe, condensate dripping directly into sprouting vats containing growing sprouts, a rusty and corroded water system, scratched, chipped, and corroded equipment and cracked, damaged, and chipped food contact surfaces
In 2013, a 19-state E. coli outbreak linked to Farm Rich frozen products sickened 35 people. Lab tests on Farm Rich products from patients’ homes established that Farm Rich brand frozen food products were the source of this outbreak.
Farm Rich issued a recall for the products which included Mozzarella Bites, Mini Pizza Slices, Mini Quesadillas and Philly Cheese Steaks. They were distributed nationwide to retail and foodservice locations.
