Totino's, Jeno's frozen pizzas recalled for possible E. coli

Recalled pizza
General Mills is recalling several varieties of Totino's and Jeno's pizza because of possible E. coli contamination.
Image courtesy of General Mills

The company says the recall affects about 414,000 cases of pizza products in stores, and all similar products in consumers' freezers.

General Mills spokesman Tom Forsythe says the company learned of the possible pizza and E. coli connection from state and federal officials.

He says nine out of 21 people with E. coli cases in 10 different states reported eating a Jeno's or Totino's pizza. But Forsythe says it's not clear their illnesses were directly tied to the pizzas. The company issued the recall as a precaution.

"To date, we have found no evidence of E. coli in our plant, no evidence of E. coli in any of our products," says Forsythe. "So there is no way of saying what may have happened, because we don't know even that there is a link."

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Forsythe says so far none of the E. coli cases has resulted in death. He would not speculate on the financial cost of the recall.

The state's Department of Health says it is unaware of any of pizza-related E. coli cases in Minnesota.

Symptoms of E. coli can include stomach cramps and diarrhea. People typically are ill for two to five days, but can develop complications including kidney failure.

The specific products in the recall, with SKU numbers, include:

Totino's Party Supreme, 42800-10700.

Totino's Three Meat, 42800-10800.

Totino's Pepperoni, 42800-11400.

Totino's Pepperoni, 42800-92114.

Totino's Classic Pepperoni, 42800-11402.

Totino's Pepperoni Trio, 42800-72157.

Totino's Party Combo, 42800-11600.

Totino's Combo, 42800-92116.

Jeno's Crisp 'n Tasty Supreme, 35300-00561.

Jeno's Crisp 'n Tasty Pepperoni, 35300- 00572.

Jeno's Crisp 'n Tasty Combo, 35300-00576.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report)