Investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the contamination, including for other products, as well as epidemiological investigations to establish potential links with all cases detected in the country since early January 2022.

Consequently, as a precautionary measure and pending further analysis, the company is today recalling all pizzas in the Buitoni Fraîch’Up range currently on the market.

Examples of pizzas from the Buitoni Fraîch’Up range:

Update

As of March 17, 2022, 27 cases of HUS or severe infection linked to E. coli bacteria with similar characteristics have been identified, and 31 additional cases are under investigation. These 58 cases have occurred in 12 regions of metropolitan France: Hauts-de-France (13 cases), Nouvelle-Aquitaine (9 cases), Pays de la Loire (9 cases), Brittany (6 cases), Île-de-France (6 cases), Grand Est (5 cases), Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (3 cases), Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (2 cases), Centre-Val de Loire (2 cases) Normandy (1 case), Occitanie (1 case), and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (1 case). The affected children, aged 1 to 18 with a median age of 5½ years, developed symptoms between January 10, 2022, and March 10, 2022. Two children have died.

Santé publique France, in collaboration with the National E. coli Reference Centers, the Directorate General for Food, and the Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs, and Fraud Control, and in coordination with the Directorate General for Health, is continuing its investigation into all cases of pediatric HUS reported since January 1, 2022, throughout the country.

Reminder of recommendations for preventing HUS

The E. coli bacteria responsible for HUS are present in the intestines of many ruminant animals (cows, calves, goats, sheep, deer, etc.) and are excreted in feces, which can then contaminate the environment (water, manure, soil) and food. These bacteria tolerate cold well (they survive in a refrigerator or freezer) but are destroyed by cooking.

Transmission of the bacteria can be prevented by simple precautions, particularly among children under 16 and the elderly:

• Hands must be washed thoroughly before preparing meals;

• meat, especially ground beef, as well as ground meat products, must be cooked thoroughly (not pink in the center);

• raw milk, cheeses made from raw milk, and dairy products made from raw milk should not be consumed by children under 5 years of age; choose hard-pressed cheeses (such as Emmental, Comté, Gruyère, Beaufort), processed cheese spreads, and cheeses made from pasteurized milk;

• Flour-based preparations (pizza dough, cookie dough, cake batter, pie crust, etc.) should not be eaten raw or undercooked;

• Vegetables, salad, fruit, and herbs, especially those to be eaten raw, must be thoroughly washed before consumption, after peeling if necessary.

• Raw foods must be stored separately from cooked or ready-to-eat foods;

• Prepared meals and leftovers must be promptly refrigerated, thoroughly reheated, and consumed quickly;

• Kitchen utensils (especially if they have previously come into contact with raw foods), as well as countertops, must be thoroughly washed;

• Children should not drink untreated water (well water, stream water, etc.) and should avoid swallowing it while swimming (in lakes, ponds, etc.);

• Finally, very young children (under 5 years old) should avoid contact with cows, calves, sheep, goats, deer, etc., and their environments; if contact with these animals occurs, hands must be washed immediately.