If you’re a pizza lover, you’ll want to be aware of a recent recall the US Food and Drug Administration has announced. The recall involves over 160,000 pounds of a popular frozen pizza product distributed to more than 20 states. The reason for the recall? Potential metal contamination. Here’s what you need to know.
What product is being recalled?
The recall covers one product, Farm Rich Pizza Cheese Crunchers, which are manufactured by Rich Products Corp of Buffalo, New York. Full details of the recalled product are as follows:
- Product Description: Farm Rich Pizza Cheese Crunchers
- Lot/Unit Numbers: 003029976
- Best by 7/30/27
- UPC Codes: 041322652256
While Rich Products Corp initially initiated the voluntary recall on May 19, it is only gaining attention recently due to a an FDA enforcement report dated earlier this week, in which the agency classified the recall as a Class II recall.
The FDA has three recall classifications, with a Class III being the least threatening from a health perspective and a Class I being the most. The FDA says a Class II recall is “a situation in which use of, or exposure to, a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”
In total, 6,408 cases of the product are being recalled, equating to 160,200 lbs. of product.
Why are Pizza Cheese Crunchers being recalled?
The FDA says the reason for the recall is that the Farm Rich Pizza Cheese Crunchers “may contain metal pieces.”
This could potentially cause harm to those who eat the recalled product.
Which states were the Pizza Cheese Crunchers sold in?
According to the FDA enforcement report, the recalled products are known to have been distributed to the following states:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- California
- Florida
- Georgia
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Missouri
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Wisconsin
Where were the Pizza Cheese Crunchers sold?
The FDA’s enforcement report doesn’t mention specific retailers by name.
While AllRecipes noted that the product “is typically sold at local grocery stores and retailers including Walmart, Lidl, and Dollar General,” Rich Products Corporation released a statement on Friday clarifying that the recalled product was not sold in retail or grocery stores and was instead distributed “exclusively through foodservice channels.”
“No retail consumer products are affected by this recall,” the statement read.
What should I do if I have the recalled product?
The FDA’s enforcement report does not state what to do if you have the recalled product. However, common sense suggests not consuming it.
Correction: The recalled product was distributed directly to food service providers, not sold at retail stores as an earlier version of this story stated.