Palermo Villa recalls Connie’s Thin Crust Cheese Frozen Pizza for plastic contamination

Here’s what you should know:

• Date: December 13
• Announced by: the FDA on December 13
• Company: Palermo Villa, Inc.
• Product: Connie’s Thin Crust Cheese Frozen Pizza, 20.36oz
• Issue: Possible plastic foreign contaminant 
• Lot number: MR199856
• GTIN: 007570619104
• Best by date: 11/27/2024

Keep reading to know more!

What happened?

This past December 13th, Palermo Villa, Inc. recalled 1,728 boxes of Connie’s Thin Crust Cheese Frozen Pizza due to a possible plastic contaminant. The product was distributed in Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin to retail grocery stores. 

Company	Brand	Item Number	Product	Lot Number	GTIN	Best By	Establishment Number	Picture
Palermo Villa Inc.	Connie’s	19104	Connie’s Thin Crust Cheese 20.36oz	MR199856	007570619104	11/27/2024	13410325396

What caused the issue?

The potential contamination stems from a manufacturing oversight, where foreign objects might’ve entered select batches. While such risks are uncommon in food production, they highlight the importance of strict quality controls. Although no injuries have been reported, consuming these products could pose serious health risks, particularly for children and individuals with dental vulnerabilities.

Health risks:

• Potential Injuries: Cuts, choking hazards, or dental damage.
• At-Risk Groups: Children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing conditions.

Questions consumers might have:

1. How severe are the risks if consumed? The risks include potential choking, cuts, or dental issues, which can be serious but are avoidable by not consuming the product.
2. Can the contamination cause long-term health effects? Long-term issues are rare but could happen if the fragments cause internal damage.
3. Are other batches potentially affected? Nope! Only the specific batches listed in the recall are impacted.
4. What preventive measures are in place for the future? The company is improving its quality checks and processes to keep products safe.
5. Are stores obligated to provide refunds? Absolutely! Refunds are part of the recall policy.
6. How can I stay updated on similar recalls? You can check the FDA website or check out our blog, where we post all recalls that hit the shelves. 
7. What role do regulatory authorities play in preventing such issues? They ensure companies follow safety rules and act quickly during recalls.
8. How common is foreign object contamination in food manufacturing? It’s rare, but accidents happen even in well-regulated facilities.
9. Should I avoid all Palermo Villa products going forward? Not at all! Future products will be safe, thanks to the corrective actions in place.
10. What should I do with the products? Consumers who have purchased these Pizzas are urged not to consume them. They should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase for a refund.

Here’s what you should do

If you have purchased the product, take action! Here’s how:

• Check the label:
  Lot number: MR199856
  GTIN: 007570619104
  Best by date: 11/27/2024
• Identify the product:
  Connie’s Thin Crust Cheese Frozen Pizza, 20.36oz
• What you should do
  Consumers who have purchased these Pizzas are urged not to consume them. They should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase for a refund.
• Contact info:
  Those with questions or concerns can reach out to Palermo’s Consumer Service at 1-888-571-7181 from 8:00 – 4:30 CST M-F.

Behind the brand

Palermo Villa Inc. is a growing company that has been around since 1964 and that includes brands like Palermo’s® Pizza (Palermo’s Primo Thin™, King Cheese, Palermo’s Thin Crust), Screamin’ Sicilian™ Pizza Co. (Screamin’ Sicilian™ 12”, Screamin’ Sicilian™ Loaded Pan, Screamin’ Sicilian™ I’m Single, Screamin’ Sicilian™ Stromboli, Screamin’ Sicilian™ Take ‘N Bake), Urban Pie Pizza Co.™ (Artisan Crust and Veggie Crust) and Connie’s® Pizza. Every Pizza is made by dedicated Pizzaiolos, drawing on the founder’s Italian roots and family recipes to achieve premium quality. Palermo’s continues to be a leader in innovation in the Pizza industry, developing new products and flavors that cater to consumer needs. Crazy enough, this month there’s been another issue similar to this one. Riverside Natural Foods Inc., the maker of MadeGood granola bars, issued a voluntary recall for select products on December 9. The decision followed the discovery of metal fragments in some granola bars during routine quality checks.

Ensuring safe eats!

This recall serves as a reminder of how vigilant food companies need to be in maintaining product safety. While plastic contamination may seem like a minor issue compared to pathogens, it still poses a risk of choking or injury. Companies need to ensure better quality control measures in their production lines to avoid these types of mishaps. The food industry needs to continue to prioritize safety in every product they make—from the raw ingredients to the packaging. 

“Incidents like this highlight the critical importance of maintaining rigorous quality control throughout the entire food supply chain. Ensuring the safety and integrity of every product is not just about compliance—it’s about trust. Consumers expect that the food they bring into their homes is safe, and as an industry, we must be unwavering in our commitment to uphold those standards. Whether it’s plastic contaminants, labeling errors, or other concerns, it’s crucial that companies act swiftly and transparently when issues arise. Accountability and proactive action are key to keeping consumer confidence strong and protecting public health.” Eran Mizrahi, Source86’ CEO.

Wanna know more? Talk to our team!