Salmonella Map
Salmonella outbreak as of October 10, 2007. Graphic courtesy Centers for Disease Control. There are two reported cases in Wyoming.
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Health Alert: Salmonella Outbreak: Banquet Chicken and Turkey Pot Pies
Impacts 30 States, including 2 cases in Wyoming
October 10, 2007
Update: 10/10/07, 9:00 PM: For cases in Wyoming, one is reportedly from Lincoln County in June, one from Goshen County in September. Two more cases may be added to the list, one from Uinta and one from Natrona. The last two illness reports have pot pie consumption history within 72 hours of illness.
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Original post 10/10/07, 11:00 AM:
New Health Alert: Salmonella Outbreak Impacts 30 States
CDC is collaborating with public health officials in multiple states across the United States and with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service to investigate an ongoing multi-state outbreak of Salmonella I,4,[5],12:i:- (pronounced "four five twelve eye minus") infections in humans.
Advice to consumers
At this time, CDC recommends that people do not eat any Banquet pot pies or pot pies made by ConAgra Foods that have a printed code ending in "P9." Other brands of pot pies made in the ConAgra Foods factory that makes Banquet brand pot pies and sold under other brand names may also be contaminated with Salmonella. These other pot pie boxes also have a printed code ending in "P9". If you have any of these products at home, the safest thing to do is to discard them.
Clinical features of Salmonella
Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12-72 hours after infection. Infection is usually diagnosed by culture of a stool sample. The illness usually lasts 4 - 7 days. Although most people recover without treatment, severe infections may occur. Infants, elderly persons, and people with impaired immune systems are more likely than others to develop severe illness. In severe infection, Salmonella spreads from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other body sites, and death can occur if the person is not treated promptly with antibiotics.
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Media Release posted on Conagra website:
Conagra Foods
ConAgra Foods Offers Consumer Advisory Regarding Banquet Pot Pies
OMAHA, Neb.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 9, 2007--ConAgra Foods today announced that it was contacted by state health officials regarding Banquet Turkey and Chicken Pot Pies. In cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), ConAgra Foods is advising consumers to not eat these products while the USDA and ConAgra Foods look into these concerns. This advisory pertains to Banquet brand frozen chicken or turkey pot pie products or generic store brand not-ready-to-eat pot pie products bearing the number "P-9" printed on the side of the package. The company believes the issue is likely related to consumer undercooking of the product.
If they wish, consumers may return these products to ConAgra Foods for a refund by sending the side panel of the package that contains the code "P-9" to ConAgra Foods, Dept. BQPP, P.O. Box 3768, Omaha, NE 68103-0768. If consumers prefer, they may return the product to the store from which it was purchased for a refund; consumers should discard the product prior to returning the entire package to their retail store.
The company reminds consumers that these products are not ready-to-eat, and must always be thoroughly cooked as instructed on the packages. The cooking instructions for these products are specifically designed to eliminate the presence of common pathogens found in many uncooked products. Microwave cooking times vary, depending on the wattage of the microwave, so carefully following all instructions is important.
ConAgra Foods is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to identify any additional steps that may be appropriate, including potential changes that may further clarify cooking instructions for consumers. Already, the company is revising its packaging to more clearly illustrate different cooking times for Banquet pot pies related to varying wattages of microwaves.
ConAgra Foods was advised yesterday by health officials in several states that a number of consumers had been diagnosed with salmonella that they believe is statistically associated with the consumption of Banquet chicken and turkey pot pies. Salmonella is among the common pathogens found in not-ready-to-eat poultry containing products like pot pies. Cooking instructions are designed to result in the elimination of any risk associated with salmonella.
Consumers with questions regarding the cooking of Banquet pot pies may call 1-866-484-8671 or contact us online at www.conagrafoods.com/contactus. For more information on food safety, consumers may reference IFIC.org.
ConAgra Foods Inc. (NYSE:CAG) is one of North America's leading packaged food companies, serving grocery retailers, as well as restaurants and other foodservice establishments. For more information, please visit us at www.conagrafoods.com.
CONTACT: ConAgra Foods Inc.
Media:
Stephanie Childs, 402-595-6258
or
Analysts:
Chris Klinefelter, 402-595-4154
www.conagrafoods.com
SOURCE: ConAgra Foods Inc.
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USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert For Frozen Chicken and Turkey Pot Pies
Congressional and Public Affairs
Amanda Eamich
(202) 720-9113
WASHINGTON, Oct. 9, 2007 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is investigating a Missouri establishment that on October 9 voluntarily ceased operations due to reported illnesses linked to their products. Banquet brand and generic store brand frozen not-ready-to-eat pot pie products with "P-9" printed on the side of the package may be the potential source of reported illnesses caused by Salmonella based on epidemiological evidence collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and State public health departments.
On October 3, the CDC launched a multi-state case control study with detailed questions on chicken and egg consumption. Based on additional information provided by the Minnesota Department of Health, CDC added questions to the study on October 5 focusing on frozen chicken or turkey pot pie product consumption. FSIS was notified on October 5 that states had identified an FSIS-regulated product to the CDC as the potential source of contamination.
After discussions with CDC and the states throughout the weekend, on October 8 FSIS dispatched specially trained investigators to gather additional information at the federally inspected establishment producing these frozen pot pie products.
The Agency is advising consumers not to eat or to discard these chicken or turkey pot pie products until we are able to determine the source, products and potential production dates of contamination and to verify proper cooking instructions for these not-ready-to-eat products. We will provide updates as further information becomes available.
ConAgra, which is cooperating in the investigation, will provide information regarding these products at: www.conagrafoods.com. Consumers with questions about these products may contact the company hotline at (866) 484-8671. Information on reported illnesses will be available at www.cdc.gov/salmonella/
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