Frozen pizzas are a convenient staple in many households, providing a quick and easy meal option even when our schedules are beyond busy. While they may not be the healthiest option, we tend not to view them as unsafe. However, over the past decade, several notable frozen pizza recalls have occurred due to a range of life-threatening safety dangers, including contamination with foreign objects, undeclared allergens, and potential bacterial contamination.
In this article, we’ll cover four significant recalls from 2013 to 2024 that caught the attention of our Northern New Jersey product liability lawyers at Buttafuoco & Associates. While you may think of defective appliances when you think about product liability and safety, food companies have a responsibility for their food to be safe and properly labeled. If you or a loved one has been harmed by a contaminated product, our product liability attorneys may be able to help. Get in touch at 1-800-NOW-HURT for a free consultation.
2017: RBR Meat Company Recalls Frozen Pizza Products
Quantity Recalled: 21,220 lbs
Reason for Recall: Bacteria (listeria monocytogenes)
In March 2017, RBR Meat Company, Inc. recalled approximately 21,220 pounds of frozen supreme pizzas due to potential contamination with listeria monocytogenes. The recalled product, labeled as Marketside Extra Large Supreme Pizza, was distributed in California, Nevada, Utah, and Washington.
The company identified the contamination through routine sampling. No adverse reactions were reported at the time of the recall, but listeria can cause serious infections, particularly in older adults (over 65), pregnant women, newborns, and those with weakened immune systems. These infections are uncommon, but serious, and the CDC estimates that 260 adults die from listeria annually.
2021: Nestlé USA Inc. Recalls Frozen DiGiorno Crispy Pan Crust Pepperoni Pizza
Quantity Recalled: 27,872 lbs
Reason for Recall: Mislabeling and Undeclared Allergen (textured soy protein)
In September 2021, Nestle USA Inc. recalled approximately 27,872 pounds of DiGiorno Crispy Pan Crust pepperoni pizzas due to misbranding and undeclared allergens. The product, labeled as DiGiorno Crispy Pan Crust pepperoni pizza, mistakenly contained three meat pizza. The three-meat pizza had textured soy protein, an allergen not listed on the label.
Soybeans are one of the nine major food allergens in the United States, according to the FDA, along with wheat, milk, eggs, fish, Crustacean shellfish, sesame, tree nuts, and peanuts. Companies are legally required to list any ingredients or derivatives involving these allergens. Unfortunately, undisclosed allergens are common reasons for food recalls.
2024: 802 VT Frozen Recalls Frozen Meat Pizza Products
Quantity Recalled: 8,221 lbs
Reason for Recall: Mislabeling and Undeclared Allergen (soy)
In more recent recall news, in April 2024, 802 VT Frozen, a Vermont-based company, recalled approximately 8,221 pounds of its frozen meat pizza, distributed in states throughout the Northeast, including Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Similar to the case of Nestle’s DiGiorno recall in 2021, the product contained soy although the ingredient did not appear on the label, as required by the FDA.
Product Liability and Food Recalls
The United States has a strong food safety system that effectively catches most allergens and potential contaminants before they do harm, and these are just a few examples of incidents involving frozen pizzas. In 2013, Nestle issued a large recall of DiGiorno and California Pizza Kitchen products due to plastic fragments found in the food. In 2023, Green Valley Foods in North Dakota issued a recall linked to a product containing soy.
Issuing a recall is the responsibility of a company, ensuring safety of the consumer, and thankfully we have a robust food safety system in the United States. Our product liability attorneys in Northern New Jersey, however, warn that sometimes consumers may suffer the consequences of a company’s negligence, including the consequences of contaminated or mislabeled food.
If you or a loved one suffered an injury or illness due to an undisclosed allergen, it’s imperative that you work with a product liability lawyer serving Northern New Jersey. You may be entitled to compensation. Even if a company issued a recall, you may still have a case.
Call 1-800-NOW-HURT to consult with our product liability team at Buttafuoco & Associates.
