Whole Foods Recalls 61 Products After Food Poisoning Linked to Supplier

Whole Foods Market is recalling 61 bakery products and prepared foods sold under its store brand after its supplier, Rolf's Patisserie of Illinois, was linked to 100 cases of food poisoning, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said.

Rolf's Patisserie recalled all its desserts made after Nov. 1 after they were connected to four outbreaks of staphylococcus aureus food poisoning in two states. The desserts were sold online and through retailers, wholesalers and the bakery's catering service, including Whole Foods. The FDA is working with the Illinois Department of Public Health to get a distribution list.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control said staphylococcal food poisoning is caused by toxins in food produced by the bacterium. Consumers may start to feel sick from the toxins in as little as 30 minutes and usually throw up, feel nausea, have stomach cramps and diarrhea. Most people get better in one to three days.The FDA said 100 consumers have been sickened in four outbreaks in November and December -- three of the outbreaks, affecting 30, were in Illinois and 70 were sickened in a Wisconsin outbreak. Rolf's Patisserie has ceased production and distribution of products.

The recalled Whole Foods Market products include desserts such as pies, tarts, yule logs, cakes and prepared food including pot pies and quiches. All of the items were either used as an ingredient in prepared food and bakery products or repackaged and sold under the Whole Foods label in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska and Wisconsin.

The FDA said so far no one has gotten sick from eating the recalled Whole Foods market products.

The FDA has compiled a list of recalled Whole Foods Market products affected by the recall. Consumers who have any of the products can return them to Whole Foods for a full refund. Call Whole Foods at (512) 542-0878 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern on weekdays.

In a separate, but related recall, Whole Foods Market recalled assembled ginger bread houses it sold in Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin that were made by Rolf's. So far, no one has reported getting sick from the ginger bread houses, the FDA said.

The ginger bread houses were packaged in clear plastic wrap and sold with a Whole Foods Market label. Some labels also may list Rolf's Patisserie under the description.

Contaminated products that were used in other products or repackaged and resold contributed to some of the largest recalls of this year.