Three crackers can cost you 11 stitches at Rikers Island.

Former inmate Michael Carey is suing the city for $5 million, claiming a correction officer pummeled him for taking three crackers from the mess hall, according to a lawsuit filed in Bronx Supreme Court Friday.

Carey says an officer with the last name Mack punched him in the face, head and ear until he fell to the ground bleeding, requiring 11 stitches.

Mack, whose first name is not given in the suit, is also being sued for $1 million by Carey, who was serving 90 days for petty larceny, an official said.

A spokeswoman for the city's Law Department said the office hadn't been served legal papers yet.

"He alleges that he did nothing wrong," said Andrew Plasse, Carey's lawyer