Flour-related outbreak spurs recall of 22 tons of hors d’oeuvres

More than 22 tons of raw hors d’oeuvres such as chicken quesadillas, mini tarts and steak spring rolls are being recalled nationwide because they were made with flour linked to an ongoing E. coli outbreak.

Kabob’s Acquisition Inc. recalled the 28 different frozen, not ready-to-eat meat and poultry products Friday evening, according to a notice posted by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

No expiration or best-by dates are included in the recall information. The recall includes 44,850 pounds of items produced between Dec. 8, 2015, and Jan. 15 this year. The Lake City, GA, company distributed the products nationwide to hotels, restaurants and institutional kitchens.

“The problem was discovered when a supplier notified Kabob’s Acquisition Inc. that flour sold to the establishment was recalled by General MillsInc. due to possible association with a multi-state Escherichia coli O121 illness outbreak,” the recall on the FSIS website states.

Although the Kabob’s recall states there haven’t been any confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of its products, at least 42 people in 21 states have been confirmed with E. coli infections matching E. coli O121 found in General Mills flour.

The recalled frozen hors d’oeuvres have the establishment number “Est. 6640” or “P-6640” inside the USDA mark of inspection on their labels. Sample photos of the product labels are available online.

“FSIS and the company are concerned that some product may be frozen and in consumers’ freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase,” according to the recall notice.

Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled products and developed symptoms of E. coli infection should contact their doctor and specifically mention the possible exposure to E. coli O121, according to the FSIS.

Many clinical laboratories do not test for E. coli O121 because it is harder to identify than the more common E. coli O157, the FSIS warns.

People can become ill from E. coli exposure two to eight days after consuming food or beverages contaminated with the organism. Most people infected develop diarrhea, which is often bloody, and vomiting. Some illnesses last longer and can be more severe. Antibiotic treatment is generally not recommended.

Healthy people usually recover in a few days but the elderly, children, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems can become seriously ill and develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which damages the kidneys. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.

“FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume not ready-to-eat meat and poultry product that has been cooked to a temperature of 165° F,” according to the recall notice.

“The only way to confirm that not ready-to-eat meat and poultry product is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature.”

The recalled products can be identified by the following label information:

• Boxed plastic tray packages containing 100 pieces of “Uncooked Chicken Breast Strip Fritter with Pecan Coating” with case code 2005 and packaging date code PM16A14.

• Boxed plastic tray packages containing 100 pieces of “Chicken Gyoza Potstickers” with case code 3625 and packaging date code PM16A13.

• Boxed plastic tray packages containing 100 pieces of “Chicken Wonton” with case code 370 and packaging date code PM15M23.

• Boxed plastic tray packages containing 100 pieces of “Cuban Style Frank in a Blanket” with case code 179037 and packaging date code PM15M22.

• Boxed plastic tray packages containing 100 pieces of “Beef and Vegetables Topped with Mashed Potatoes” with case code 7055 and packaging date code PM15M16.

• Boxed plastic tray packages containing 100 pieces of “Uncooked Mini Chicken Breast Meat and Ham Fritter with Cheese” with case code 713 and packaging date code PM15M18 or PM15M11.

• Boxed plastic tray packages containing 100 pieces of “Beef Pastelitos” with case code 7159 and packaging date code PM16A12 or PM16A14.

• Boxed plastic tray packages containing 100 pieces of “Beef, Cheese and Vegetables in Pastry” with case code 715 and packaging date code PM15M17 or PM15M11.

• Boxed plastic tray packages containing 100 pieces of “Latin Inspired Chicken and Cheese in Pastry” with case code 7172 and packaging date code PM16A15.

• Boxed plastic tray packages containing 100 pieces of “Latin-Style Chicken & Cheese Turnover” with case code 717 and packaging date code PM15M12, PM15M17, PM15M23, PM16A13, PM15M09, PM15M21or PM16A14.

• Boxed plastic tray packages containing 100 pieces of “Beef Tenderloin, Mushroom Duxelle, and Sherry in Puff Pastry” with case code 725 and packaging date code PM15M15 or PM15M16.

• Boxed plastic tray packages containing 200 pieces of “Beef Tenderloin, Mushroom Duxelle, and Sherry in Puff Pastry” with case code 725 and packaging date code PM15M08 or PM15M09.

• Boxed plastic tray packages containing 200 pieces of “Petite Beef Tenderloin, Mushroom Duxelle, and Sherry in Puff Pastry” with case code 7261 and packaging date code PM15M15.

• Boxed plastic tray packages containing 200 pieces of “Chicken Quesadilla” with case code 765 and packaging date code PM15M11.

• Boxed plastic tray packages containing 200 pieces of “Southwest Style Burrito” with case code 784 and packaging date code PM15M09.

• Boxed plastic tray packages containing 200 pieces of “Chicken Marsala Mushroom Tart” with case code 7273 and packaging date code PM16A14.

• Boxed plastic tray packages containing 200 pieces of “Petite Uncooked White Chicken Meat & Mushroom Duxelle In Puff Pastry” with case code 7279 and packaging date code PM16A13.

• Boxed plastic tray packages containing 200 pieces of “Uncooked White Chicken Meat and Mushroom Duxelle In Puff Pastry” with case code 727 and packaging date code PM16A14.

• Boxed plastic tray packages containing 200 pieces of “Eggs, Cheese and Bacon Crescent” with case code 7893 and packaging date code PM15M17.

• Boxed plastic tray packages containing 200 pieces of “Mini Tart with Pizza Sauce, Cheese and Sausage” with case code 7951 and packaging date code PM15M09.

• Boxed plastic tray packages containing 100 pieces of “Uncooked Coconut Chicken” with case code 805 and packaging date code PM16A14.

• Boxed plastic tray packages containing 100 pieces of “Uncooked Sesame Chicken” with case code 810 and packaging date code PM16A15.

• Boxed plastic tray packages containing 200 pieces of “Pad Thai Style Springroll” with case code 8630 and packaging date code PM15M10 or PM15M11.

• Boxed plastic tray packages containing 200 pieces of “Buffalo Style White Chicken Springroll” with case code 8639 and packaging date code PM15M10, PM15M16, PM15M18 or PM15M22.

• Boxed plastic tray packages containing 200 pieces of “Cashew Chicken Springroll” with case code 863 and packaging date code PM15M22.

• Boxed plastic tray packages containing 100 pieces of “Pepperoni, Cheese and Vegetables In Dough” with case code 885 and packaging date code PM16A15.

• Boxed plastic tray packages containing 100 pieces of “Chorizo, Cheese and Beans Wrapped In Dough” with case code 886 and packaging date code PM15M11 or PM16A15.

• Boxed plastic tray packages containing 200 pieces of “Philly Brand Cheese Steak Springroll” with case code 7280 and packaging date code PM15M09.

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