State Public Health Director Warns Consumers to Check their Freezers and Throw Out Recalled Pot Pies
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 19, 2007
Contact
Awais Vaid, Epidemiologist
(217) 531-5360
Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927
State Public Health Director Warns Consumers to Check their Freezers and Throw Out Recalled Pot Pies
Consumers are still eating these pot pies and becoming ill
Springfield, IL – Dr. Damon T. Arnold, state public health director, is warning consumers again today to throw out frozen pot pies that could be linked to a multi-state outbreak of salmonellosis. Last Month ConAgra Foods voluntarily recalled an undetermined amount of all varieties of frozen pot pie products produces under multiple brand names, including chicken, turkey and beef.
“If you currently have pot pies in your freezer, even if you bought them a couple of months ago, you need to pay attention to this recall. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) continues to receive reports of ill people who have consumed the recalled pot pies within the last month. Salmonellosis can cause diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever within eight to 72 hours. Additional symptoms may include chills, headache, nausea and vomiting that can last up to seven days. Consumers should not eat these pot pies,” said Dr. Arnold.
To date, Illinois has had a total of 15 cases of Salmonella that are believed to be associated with eating the recalled pot pies, compared to six cases as of October 12, 2007 when IDPH first warned consumers.
The following brands and all varieties, including chicken, turkey and beef, of frozen pot pie products are subject to this recall:
- Banquet
- Albertson’s
- Food Lion
- Great Value
- Hill Country Fare
- Kirkwood
- Kroger
- Meijer
- Western Family
These frozen pot pies include all varieties in 7 oz. single serving packages bearing an establishment number “P-9” or “Est. 1059” printed on the side of the package.
Between January 1, 2007 and October 29, 2007 at least 272 cases have matched the national, outbreak in 35 states. At least 65 people have been hospitalized.
Salmonella bacteria cause much of the food poisoning in the world, including an estimated four million cases of salmonellosis in the United States each year. In Illinois about 1,500 to 2,500 cases of this food borne illness are reported each year.
Citizens are encouraged to contact Rachella Thompson, Communicable Disease Investigator at he Champaign-Urbana Public Health District at (217) 531-5361 to report suspect symptoms or products or call the Toll-Free hotline at (866) 484-8671.
For more information, please contact CUPHD, Division of Infectious Disease Prevention & Management, (217) 239-7827 or visit our website at www.c-uphd.org.
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