Natural food producer Annie's Inc. announced a voluntary recall of its Homegrown Frozen Pizza following reports of the possible presence of fragments of flexible metal mesh caused by a faulty screen at a third-party flour mill, according to a release sent out by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The product was sold at Stop and Shop and Whole Foods. All varieties of Annie's Rising Crust Frozen Pizza with a best by date including and between "09Jan13 and 14Sep13" (January 9, 2013 and September 14, 2013) are affected. Recalled varieties are:
- Organic Four Cheese Pizza, 23.5 oz UPC 013562 200016
- Organic Pepperoni Pizza, 23.6 oz UPC 013562 200009
- Organic Supreme Pizza, 25.4 oz UPC 013562 200023
- Organic Spinach and Mushroom Pizza, 25.0 oz UPC 013562 200054
- Four Cheese Pizza, 22.5 oz UPC 013562 200078
- Pepperoni Pizza, 22.6 oz UPC 013562 200061
- BBQ Recipe Chicken Pizza, 23.1 oz UPC 013562 200092
The company announced the recall after learning a fine metal mesh screen failed at a third-party flour mill and fragments of flexible metal mesh were found in the flour and pizza dough. All Annie's manufacturers have comprehensive metal control programs that include magnets and metal detection devices. Pieces of the fine wire were too small to be detected and could have found their way into the finished product. While no metal has been found in Annie's finished product, as a precaution, Annie's initiated this voluntary recall. There have been no consumer complaints, illnesses or injuries reported to date.
Consumers who have purchased the product can return it to its place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may call Annie's Homegrown Pizza Recall Hotline at 1-888-825-6720 or visit the recall website for more information. The hotline will be staffed in person from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. PT, along with a 24-hour a-day recorded message.
