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Canadian E. coli O26:H11 Outbreak linked to Pillsbury Pizza Pops

By Denis Stearns on December 25, 2025
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There are 23 laboratory-confirmed cases of E. coli O26:H11 illnesses linked to this outbreak in:

  • British Columbia (3)
  • Alberta (9)
  • Saskatchewan (5)
  • Manitoba (2)
  • Ontario (2)
  • New Brunswick (1)
  • Newfoundland and Labrador (1)

People became sick between early October and late November 2025. Of the cases reported, five people have been hospitalized and there have been no deaths. People who became sick are between 1 and 87 years of age.  Just over half of the people who became ill are female (52%).

Many people who became sick reported eating or handling Pillsbury brand Pizza Pops. The investigation is ongoing and it is possible that additional sources may be identified.

More recent illnesses may continue to be reported because there is a period between when a person becomes sick and when the illness is reported to public health officials. It can take more than a month from the time someone gets sick, sees a doctor, gets tested, and has their results confirmed. For this outbreak, the illness reporting period is between 15 and 53 days after illness onset.

This notice only includes laboratory-confirmed cases. The actual number of sick people in Canada is likely much higher. Many people have mild symptoms and don’t go to the doctor, so they aren’t tested. Researchers estimate that for each case of E. coli non-O157 reported to public health, there are 32 more cases that are not reported.

Photo of Denis Stearns Denis Stearns

Denis Stearns, is of-counsel at Marler Clark, earned a BA in philosophy from Seattle University, and his law degree from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He graduated from both schools with high honors, and won numerous awards for service and academic excellence.

Denis Stearns, is of-counsel at Marler Clark, earned a BA in philosophy from Seattle University, and his law degree from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He graduated from both schools with high honors, and won numerous awards for service and academic excellence. Prior to being a partner at Marler Clark, Denis worked as one of the lead attorneys on the defense team that represented Jack in the Box against the hundreds of claims and lawsuits arising from the historic 1993 E. coli O157:H7 outbreak. In this role, he obtained extensive knowledge of the meat and foodservice industry, health and safety regulations, HACCP and other food safety systems, epidemiology, and foodborne illness. He is a frequent speaker and writer on issues related to food safety law, administrative regulation, and public health policy.

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  • Posted in:
    Food, Drug & Agriculture
  • Blog:
    Food Poison Journal
  • Organization:
    Marler Clark, Inc., PS
  • Article: View Original Source

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