'Market Day' Cheese Products Recalled for Possible E. Coli

The Kane County Health Department is advising that Rich Products Corporation of Buffalo, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling Farm Rich Mini Quesadillas (PC 35635), Farm Rich Mini Pizza Slices (PC 35643 and PC 37690), Farm Rich Philly Cheese Steaks (PC 35634), Farm Rich Mozzarella Bites (PC 37443 and PC 37691) and Market Day Mozzarella Bites (PC 80435), produced from Nov. 12, 2012, to Nov.19, 2012, due to possible contamination with E. Coli bacteria.

The Farm Rich products were distributed in retail stores nationwide. Market Day is a fundraising food cooperative that distributed the Mozzarella Bites. These products are snack items that consumers bake or microwave at home.

To date there have been no reports of illness associated with this recall. Symptoms of illness include mild to severe diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Blood is often seen in the stool. Usually little or no fever is present.

Although most healthy adults can recover completely within 5-10 days, certain individuals can develop a complication called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) which can cause the kidneys to fail. HUS is most likely to occur in young children and the elderly. The condition could lead to serious kidney damage and even death.

Specific product information can be found by visiting the Food Safety Inspection Service’s website

The firm has been working with the Food Safety Inspection Service at USDA, as well as the Food and Drug Administration to investigate and identify the possible source of contamination.

Rich’s has already notified all of its distributors and retailers who have received the product in question and has directed them to remove and destroy the affected product.

Consumers who have purchased these Farm Rich products and have any questions should contact Farm Rich Consumer Relations at 1-888-220-5955 8 am to 8 pm EST Monday through Friday, or visit its website at farmrich.com.