| |
FROZEN POT PIES UNDER SCRUTINY FOR SALMONELLA CONTAMINATION,
SAYS AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER
Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass is warning West Virginia consumers that federal authorities are investigating an outbreak of salmonella poisoning that may be linked to Banquet frozen turkey and chicken pot pies, or similar generic store-brand products.
More than 100 cases of illness in dozens of states have been identified, and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) pointed to the pot pies as a potential source of salmonella contamination, although the exact products that might pose a risk had not been determined.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service on Tuesday advised consumers not to eat the pot pies “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.”
Manufacturer Con-Agra ceased production of the pot pies and reminded consumers that such products are not “ready-to-eat,” and must be properly heated to eliminate the possibility of food-borne pathogens infecting people. The pot pies in question have the code P-9 printed on the side of the package, ConAgra said.
Consumers may get refunds by returning the product packaging – minus the contents – to the store where they bought it or by sending the side panel of the package that says “P-9” to ConAgra Foods, Dept. BQPP, P.O. Box 3768, Omaha, Nebraska 68103-0768.
Symptoms of salmonella poisoning can appear 12 to 72 hours after exposure and include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. The illness usually lasts four to seven days, and most people recover without treatment, although some cases can be much more serious.
The West Virginia Department of Agriculture protects plant, animal and human health through a variety of scientific, regulatory and consumer protection programs, as mandated by state law. The Commissioner of Agriculture is one of six statewide elected officials in West Virginia. Currently, Commissioner Gus R. Douglass is the longest-serving agriculture commissioner in the nation. For more information, visit www.wvagriculture.org.
|
