5 Hospitalized in E. Coli Outbreak Following Pillsbury Pizza Pops Recall

A nationwide recall has been issued for certain pepperoni and bacon Pizza Pops that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has linked to an E. coli outbreak. Canadian Food Inspection Agency photo

The Public Health Agency of Canada says five people have been hospitalized in an E. coli outbreak connected to a recall of some Pillsbury brand Pizza Pops.

The agency said 23 people reportedly got sick with the bacteria in seven provinces after eating or handling the affected products. The cases were reported between early October and late November and have included three in B.C., nine cases in Alberta, five in Saskatchewan, two in Manitoba, two in Ontario, one in New Brunswick, and one in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The public health agency said they estimated that for every reported case, there are 32 unreported cases in the community.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) issued a recall of some of Pizza Pop products on Dec. 21 due to possible E. coli contamination.

Those who are infected by E. coli bacteria can spread it to other people over several days or weeks, even if they don’t have symptoms, according to the health agency.

Symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache, severe stomach cramps, and mild fever. Most symptoms will end in five to 10 days, the health agency said.

Signs of E. coli infection can start between one and 10 days after exposure, but not everyone will get sick.

The Public Health Agency of Canada has recommended that individuals and retailers check to see if they have the recalled products, and to throw them out or return the products to the place of purchase.

The agency advises people not to consume, serve, use, sell, or distribute the recalled products.

It also recommended cleaning and sanitizing all surfaces and storage areas that the recalled products may have come into contact with, including countertops, freezers, dishes, and refrigerators.

People are encouraged to contact a health care provider if they are experiencing symptoms of E. coli infectiom.

Most people can recover without treatment, the health agency said, but noted that those at higher risk of illness include pregnant women, children under 5, people over 60 years of age, and those with compromised immune systems.

Recall

The CFIA announced the products were recalled after reported illness from those who consumed Pizza Pops pepperoni and bacon pizza snacks.

The affected Pizza Pops are packaged in 760 gram and 2.85 kilogram sizes with best-before dates of June 9 and 10, 2026.

The recall also includes Pizza Pops Supremo Extreme pepperoni and bacon snacks packaged in three-kilogram boxes with best-before dates ranging from June 10 to June 12, as well as Pizza Pops Frank’s RedHot Pepperoni and Bacon available in 380-gram packages with a best-before date of June 14.

General Mills said it was voluntarily recalling the products and other Pillsbury Pizza Pops products have not been affected.

Jennifer Cowan contributed to this report.