Seven flavors of Uncle Ben's Infused Rice are being recalled after schoolchildren in three states became ill apparently from eating the rice.
Greenville, Miss.-based Mars Foodservices is recalling 5- and 25-pound bags of the rice, which the Food and Drug Administration has warned to be unsafe, The Washington Post reported.
The recall did not cover products sold in supermarkets or available in other retail outlets since the products in question are not normally marketed to the individual consumer. People should be careful when purchasing the rice over the Internet or through a warehouse-type transaction, the Post noted.
The FDA found out last week that 34 students and four teachers from three public schools in Katy, Tex., had experienced symptoms of illness after eating the rice.
People complained of rashes, headaches and nausea after consuming the product. Besides the Texas schools, similar incidents were reported in Illinois and North Dakota in the last few months, according to the Post.
The rice seems to have a risky level of niacin, or Vitamin B3, an enrichment that is required under federal and state food standards, according to Mars Foodservices.
"It appears that the reaction may be related to an excessive amount of niacin enrichment of the product," a representative told the Post.
The company is working alongside the FDA to investigate the illnesses, which had symptoms matching an overexposure to niacin, including redness and flushing, itching and dry skin.
An FDA spokeswoman told the Post that especially large amounts can result in indigestion and nausea, but the rice has not yet been officially linked to such an excess.
"There is no confirmation at this time that the Texas incident was caused by excess niacin," spokeswoman Theresa Eisenman said.
The rice products suspected of causing the illnesses are usually sold to schools, restaurants and hospitals, according to the Post. The recalled flavors are Roasted Chicken Flavor, Garlic & Butter Flavor, Mexican Flavor, Pilaf, Saffron, Cheese and Spanish.
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