Uncle Ben’s rice products recalled after skin reactions reported at schools

The company that produces some Uncle Ben’s rice products has issued a recall of specific flavors after the rice was linked to complaints of rashes and flushing in Texas.

Children and teachers at three schools in Houston reported the symptoms, which also included burning, itching, headaches and nausea around 45 minutes after eating Uncle Ben’s Mexican flavor infused rice.

The flavored rice is manufactured by Mars Foodservices of Rancho Dominguez in five- to 25-pound bags, and typically sold to restaurants, schools and hospitals. These particular bags are not available at retail markets.

After finding a small amount of the product on sale through websites and wholesalers, Mars Foodservices issued a voluntary recall of all lot numbers of the five- to 25-pound bags of Uncle Ben’s infused roasted chicken flavor, five-pound bags of garlic and butter flavor, five to 25-pound bags of Mexican flavor, five-pound bags of pilaf flavor, five-pound bags of saffron flavor, five-pound bags of cheese flavor and 25-pound bags of Spanish flavor.

The recall does not apply to Uncle Ben’s products sold in markets, including the brand’s ready-to-heat, boxed, bag or cup products.

The FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state and local officials are investigating the incident. The FDA is instructing anyone who purchased the recalled products to not use them and return them to their point of purchase.

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