The latest update from the Public Health Agency of Canada reveals that a fifth individual has been hospitalized in connection with an E. coli outbreak associated with recalled Pillsbury brand Pizza Pops. This outbreak has affected 23 individuals across seven provinces who fell ill after consuming or handling specific varieties of the frozen snack between early October and late November. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency issued a recall for various pepperoni and bacon Pizza Pops following the detection of E. coli contamination, which is currently being investigated.
The outbreak has now spread to Alberta, Ontario, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland and Labrador. According to health officials, there may be significantly more undetected cases in the community for every confirmed laboratory-confirmed case. Symptoms of E. coli infection can range from nausea, vomiting, and headache to severe stomach cramps and bloody diarrhea. While most individuals recover without medical intervention within a few days, pregnant women, young children, elderly individuals, and those with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk of developing severe complications.
The affected Pizza Pops products include Pepperoni + Bacon, Supremo Extreme Pepperoni + Bacon, and FRANK’s RedHot Pepperoni + Bacon, all with best before dates in June 2026. It is important to note that merely storing these products in freezers or reheating them in microwaves may not eliminate the bacteria. Lawrence Goodridge, a foodborne pathogen dynamics expert from the University of Guelph, highlighted that while freezers halt bacterial growth, they do not eradicate it. Additionally, microwaves may not uniformly heat food, leaving cold spots where bacteria can persist. The varying power levels of microwaves further complicate the reheating process, making it crucial to ensure thorough cooking of these products.
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