The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced bags of Uncle Ben’s Infused Rice are being recalled after making dozens of people sick in three states.
The items affected in the recall include any Uncle Ben’s Infused Rice Mexican flavor sold in five and 25 pound bags.
Health officials are investigating a cluster of illnesses reported on February 7 at three public schools in Katy, Texas.
In the most recent outbreak, 34 students and four teachers experienced burning, itching rashes, headaches and nausea for 30 to 90 minutes, before the symptoms went away.
All of the teachers and student had eaten the Uncle Ben’s Infused Rice Mexican Flavor with the lot number 351EKGRV01 before getting sick, according to the FDA.
This wasn’t the first reports of illness, on December 4, 2013, the Illinois Department of Public Health notified the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of 25 children with similar skin reactions following a school lunch with an Uncle Ben’s Infused Rice product.
North Dakota also reported a similar incident on Oct. 30, 2013. Three children in a daycare and one college student experienced flushing reactions 45 minutes after eating an Uncle Ben’s Infused Rice product.
These products were sold to food service companies who typically distribute to restaurants, schools, and hospitals.
However, there is still some concern for the average consumer because the recalled rice was also sold over the internet and warehouse type warehouses.
Mars Foodservices has recalled all of its Uncle Ben’s Infused Rice products produced in 2013:
- UNCLE BEN’S INFUSED Rice Roasted Chicken Flavor (5- and 25-pounds)
- UNCLE BEN’S INFUSED Rice Garlic & Butter Flavor (5-pounds)
- UNCLE BEN’S INFUSED Rice Mexican Flavor (5- and 25-pounds)
- UNCLE BEN’S INFUSED Rice Pilaf (5-pounds)
- UNCLE BEN’S INFUSED Rice Saffron Flavor (5-pounds)
- UNCLE BEN’S INFUSED Rice Cheese Flavor (5-pounds)
- UNCLE BEN’S INFUSED Rice Spanish Flavor (25-pounds)
This recall doesn’t affect Uncle Ben’s Brand Ready to Heat, Boxed, Bag or Cup products sold at grocery stores and other retail outlets.
Symptoms associated with this illness include:
- A red burning/itching rash
- Headache
- Nausea
- Flushness of the skin
The symptoms appear very shortly after consuming the rice product and pass within 30 to 90 minutes.
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