Expanded Pizza Pops Recall Issued Over Possible E. Coli

A nationwide recall has been expanded for Pizza Pops the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has linked to an E. coli outbreak. Canadian Food Inspection Agency photo

A Canada-wide recall of select Pizza Pops products linked to an E. coli outbreak before Christmas has been expanded.

A Jan. 25 advisory from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) says several types of Pizza Pops have been added to the recall, including three-cheese, pepperoni, pepperoni and bacon, deluxe, and 3-meat, due to possible E. coli O26 contamination that has resulted in illness.

“The Public Health Agency of Canada is investigating an outbreak of human illness,” the notice said, but did not include details on how many people have reported getting sick after consuming a Pizza Pop product.

The affected Pizza Pops are packaged in 380-gram, 760-gram, and 2.85-kilogram sizes, with ‘best-before’ dates of June 8, 2026 to June 21, 2026, the agency said. A complete list of the impacted products can be found on the agency’s website.

The Class 1 recall was first announced in a Dec. 21, 2025 advisory. Class 1 indicates the highest rank in the three-tier classification system, highlighting a serious risk that the consumption of the tainted food could result in severe health issues or even death.

“The affected products are being recalled from the marketplace due to possible E. coli O26 contamination,” the agency said in its alert at the time. “This recall was triggered by findings by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency during its investigation into a foodborne illness outbreak.”

Pizza Pops maker General Mills said in a Jan. 25 statement that it is working with retail partners to remove potentially tainted products.

“Consumers are asked to check their freezers and dispose of the products affected by this recall,” the company said.

The CFIA also said it is verifying that all recalled products have been removed from the marketplace and is warning against the consumption or distribution of the recalled items.

A nationwide recall has been expanded to include 3 Cheese Pizza Pops due to possible E. coli contamination. Canadian Food Inspection Agency photo

E. Coli Dangers

Food contaminated with strains of E. coli bacteria can result in E. coli gastroenteritis, better known as food poisoning.

Some individuals who contract E. coli may remain asymptomatic, while others may suffer from nausea and vomiting, headache, mild fever, severe stomach cramps, and watery or bloody diarrhea, Health Canada said. Symptoms generally appear within one to 10 days following exposure and tend to resolve within a five to 10-day timeframe.

Most people recover fully at home, but those who experience severe illness need to be hospitalized, the agency’s website says. Life-threatening symptoms such as stroke, kidney failure, and seizures can occur in rare cases.

This strain of bacteria poses the greatest threat to pregnant women, the elderly, children younger than five, and those with compromised immune systems, Health Canada said.

“While most people recover completely, others may suffer permanent health effects, like kidney damage,” the agency said. “If you think you have an E. coli infection, see your health-care provider.”