Tortino's and Jeno's Frozen Meat Pizzas Recalled Due to Possible E. Coli Contamination

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on Thursday that General Mills was voluntarily recalling 3.3 million pounds of frozen meat pizzas, sold under the brand names Tortino's and Jeno's, because the pizzas may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

The pizzas were made on or before October 30, and were distributed to stores across the country. Consumers are urged to check their freezers.

Twenty-one people have gotten sick from E. coli between July 20 and October 10, in incidents that may be related to the pizzas. The people were from Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin. All of them have recovered.

The recalled pizzas were various sizes of Tortino's and Jeno's pepperoni and combination meat pizzas. Six types of Tortino's Party Pizzas are involved, and 3 types of Jeno's Crisp 'N Tasty Pizzas. For a complete, detailed list of the recalled products, see the USDA recall release or the General Mills press release or call General Mills at 800-949-9055. The FSIS has also posted pictures of the boxes online.

This is a Class I recall, and the health risk is high. E. coli O157:H7 is potentially deadly. It can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. Young children, seniors, and persons with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible.

E. coli O157:H7 is the same strain of E. coli that was found in the recent outbreak in meat from Topps Meat Company, as well as in other contamination incidents that have occurred in recent years. E. coli outbreaks are increasing. In a news conference on October 23, a USDA official said that in 2005 there were five recalls related to E. coli in beef; in 2006, there were eight recalls; and in 2007 so far there had been 15.

Sources

Ohio Firm Recalls Frozen Meat Pizzas Due to Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination, Recall Release, Food Safety and Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Nov. 1, 2007

Tortino's and Jeno's Frozen Pizzas Recalled Due to Possible E. coli Contamination, News Release, General Mills, Nov. 2, 2007