Recall of Pillsbury pizza pops expanded as outbreak grows

A recall of Pillsbury pizza pops in Canada has been expanded as the patient count in a related outbreak continues to grow.

As of Jan. 25, there were 23 confirmed patients in the multi-province outbreak of E. coli O26 infections. Five of the patients have required hospitalization but none have died. Patients range in age from 1 to 87 years old. The first patient to become ill developed symptoms in early October 2025. The most recent patient to develop symptoms became ill in late November.

Officials with the Public Health Agency of Canada say there will likely be more sick individuals identified because of the lag time between when a patient first develops symptoms and when they are added to the national list. For the current outbreak it is taking up to 53 days for this process to be completed.

The outbreak patients are spread across the country with three in British Columbia, nine in Alberta, five in Saskatchewan, two in Manitoba, two in Ontario and one each in New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador.

There are now 11 varieties and sizes of Pillsbury pizza pops under recall in relation to the outbreak.

About E. coli infections
Anyone who has eaten any of the implicated products and developed symptoms of E. coli infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctor about their possible exposure to the bacteria. Specific tests are required to diagnose the infections, which can mimic other illnesses.

The symptoms of E. coli infections vary for each person but often include severe stomach cramps and diarrhea, which is often bloody. Some patients may also have a fever. Most patients recover within five to seven days. Others can develop severe or life-threatening symptoms and complications.

About 5 to 10 percent of those diagnosed with E. coli infections develop a potentially life-threatening kidney failure complication, known as a hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Symptoms of HUS include fever, abdominal pain, feeling very tired, decreased frequency of urination, small unexplained bruises or bleeding, and pallor. 

Many people with HUS recover within a few weeks, but some suffer permanent injuries or death. This condition can occur among people of any age but is most common in children younger than five years old because of their immature immune systems, older adults because of deteriorating immune systems, and people with compromised immune systems such as cancer patients. 

People who experience HUS symptoms should immediately seek emergency medical care. People with HUS will likely be hospitalized because the condition can cause other serious and ongoing problems such as hypertension, chronic kidney disease, brain damage, and neurologic problems.