These are not the best of times for Mars Foodservices, the United States firm that produces the popular Uncle Ben’s rice enjoyed by millions of people around the world, including in Nigeria.

The company has been forced to recall 5- and 25-pound bags of various rice products after scores of students and school staff in three American states fell sick after eating the product, according to the Los Angeles Times.

“They include the company’s roasted chicken, garlic and butter, cheese and Spanish flavors. The company is recalling all bags and all lot numbers of the products produced in 2013,” the paper reported.

It said that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating the illnesses of children in three states in recent months that have been linked to Uncle Ben’s infused rice served in schools. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is also investigating the illnesses, the paper quoted the FDA as saying.

“The cluster of illnesses have affected children in Texas, Illinois and North Dakota,” the report said, adding: “At three schools in Katy, Texas, 34 students and four teachers experienced skin reactions, burning, headaches and nausea last week after eating Uncle Ben’s ‘Mexican flavor’ infused rice.

“The symptoms lasted about 90 minutes, officials said.

“Similar reactions were reported at an Illinois school in December and a daycare center in North Dakota in October.”