Canadian health officials have confirmed a fifth person has been hospitalized as part of a widening E. coli outbreak linked to popular frozen snack Pillsbury Pizza Pops. The total number of reported illnesses has now reached 23 across multiple provinces since the outbreak was first identified.
Affected Products and Geographic Spread
The Public Health Agency of Canada has issued a specific warning for Pepperoni and Bacon varieties of Pizza Pops. This includes the eight and 30-count boxes of Pepperoni + Bacon, as well as the Supremo Extreme Pepperoni + Bacon and Frank’s RedHot flavour Pepperoni + Bacon Pizza Pops.
All products implicated in the recall carry a best-before date of June 2026. The Canada Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) states the contamination can occur through both handling and consumption, and cooking the product may not eliminate the risk.
The majority of cases are concentrated in Western Canada. Alberta has reported nine illnesses, Saskatchewan five, Manitoba two, and British Columbia three. Ontario has reported two cases, with single cases confirmed in New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador. No deaths have been reported in connection with the outbreak.
High-Risk Groups and Symptoms
The strain identified in this outbreak, E. coli O26, produces Shiga toxins that damage blood vessels in the intestines. Symptoms typically include nausea, vomiting, severe abdominal cramps, and diarrhea, which can be watery or bloody.
Children, the elderly, pregnant individuals, and those with weakened immune systems are at the greatest risk of developing serious, potentially life-threatening complications from the infection. Health authorities urge anyone in these groups who may have consumed the product to monitor for symptoms and seek medical attention if they appear.
Company Response and Consumer Advice
General Mills Foods, the parent company of Pillsbury, has stated that other Pizza Pop varieties are not affected by this recall. The company is cooperating with the ongoing investigation by the CFIA and PHAC.
Consumers are advised to check their freezers immediately for any of the specified Pepperoni and Bacon Pizza Pops. They should not eat, serve, use, sell, or distribute the recalled products. Items should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
Detailed information, including specific Universal Product Codes (UPCs) and lot numbers for all recalled items, is available on the official Canada Food Inspection Agency website. The investigation into the source of the contamination is ongoing.
