State Health Officials Warn Hoosiers About Public Health Alert For Frozen Pot Pies

INDIANAPOLIS, IN -  State health officials, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a public health alert for Banquet and generic store brand frozen not-ready-to-eat pot pie products with "P-9" printed on the side of the package. A study conducted by the CDC and other states showed these pot pies were a common food among many of the 139 cases nationwide and are the likely source of Salmonella.  Indiana has three Salmonella cases associated with this public health alert.

"We recommend people not eat any pot pie with "P-9" printed on the side of the package until the Food Safety and Inspection Service has been able to determine the source of contamination, including exactly what products might be involved and their production dates, as well as determining the proper cooking instructions for these not-ready-to-eat products," said Lynae Granzow, enteric epidemiologist at the State Department of Health.

Salmonella is a bacterium found in the intestines of many animals.  People often become infected by eating contaminated or undercooked foods, such as poultry, eggs, and produce.  Salmonella can also be passed person to person by inadequately washing their hands after using the restroom.  Symptoms generally last four to seven days and can include vomiting, diarrhea, fever, cramps, nausea, and gas.

The FSIS is investigating a Missouri establishment that on October 9 voluntarily ceased operations due to reported illnesses linked to their products.  ConAgra, which is cooperating in the investigation, will provide information regarding these products at: http://www.conagrafoods.com/.  Consumers with questions about these products may contact the company hotline at 1-866-484-8671.  The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-674-6854 is available in English and Spanish from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (ET), Monday through Friday.  Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.

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.

For additional information, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) Web site at: www.cdc.gov/salmonella or the Indiana State Department of Health Web site at: www.statehealth.in.gov/healthinfo/Salmonellosis.htm.

Source: Indiana State Department of Health

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