For Immediate Release:
Oct. 11, 2007
Contact:
Nanci Gonder
Office of Public Information
573-751-6062
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) confirmed today that Missouri is part of a multi-state salmonella infection outbreak that is possibly linked to contaminated frozen pot pies. Currently DHSS is investigating 11 cases of salmonellosis in Missouri.
At the time of this release, there were reports of at least 139 cases in 30 states, with at least 20 people hospitalized and no deaths.
Products that have been linked to illness and are part of the investigation include Banquet brand and generic store brand frozen not-ready-to-eat pot pies with the code "P9" printed on the side of the package. ConAgra Foods Inc. produces the pot pies in a federally inspected facility in Marshall, Missouri. ConAgra is cooperating with the investigation, but the company is not currently planning a product recall.
At this time, CDC and USDA are recommending that people do not eat and that they discard, any Banquet pot pies or other pot pies made by ConAgra Foods that have a printed code ending in "P9." Other generic brands of pot pies are made by ConAgra Foods and sold under generic or store brand names, which may also be contaminated with Salmonella. These other pot pie boxes also have a printed code ending in "P9".
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services would like to remind consumers that not-ready-to-eat poultry products including frozen pot pies should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit measured by a kitchen thermometer before consumption.
Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12-72 hours after infection, and illness typically lasts four to seven days. Although most people fully recover without medical treatment, severe infections may occur, especially in infants, elderly persons, and people with impaired immune systems. In severe infection, Salmonella bacteria spread 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. Salmonella sickens about 40,000 people and kills about 600 each year in the U.S.
People who believe they have salmonella infection, especially those at risk for severe illness, should contact their healthcare provider for appropriate medical care.
ConAgra is providing information regarding the products at: www.conagrafoods.com. Consumers with questions may contact the company hotline at (866) 484-8671. Updated information on reported illnesses will be available at www.cdc.gov/salmonella/.
Consumers with food safety questions can contact the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Food_Safety_Education/Ask_Karen/index.asp#Question.
The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.
More information about the Missouri Tobacco Quitline and the dangers of tobacco use and secondhand smoke can be found at: www.dhss.mo.gov/SmokingAndTobacco/.