Banquet Pot Pies

[ept_0202]

from the ConAgra website......

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.

[Cpogie]

Boy, I tell you it is getting down right scary to eat anything lately! Where is the testing and quality control for the very foods we eat, are they cutting corners this much all for the mighty buck? I think if we as consumers boycotted these companies that have recalls it may wake them up!

[bubbsguy221]

:eek: They also peter pan peanut butter so i guess this isn't such a suprise!

[mom363546]

I do wonder if its not a consumer error. Being in the food service business for years I have taken umpteen classes on food safety.Its amazing how people leave food sit out and then eat it and under cook food. No wonder they get flu like symptoms. The other day I had a coupon for buy a breakfast sandwich get one free so I decided to be nice and take the extra to my new boss. He let it sit on his desk most of the day.I bought it at 8:00 a.m. he didn't eat it until 2:00 I almost died he then commented how good it was.I remember thinking I sure hope you don't get sick that egg sausage cheese thing sat out for 6 hours.He could have gotten sick.I did just thinking about it.

Everyone thinks i'm odd because we have several thermometers in our kitchen all meats and casseroles are temp'd to make sure they are at proper temp before they are served.

[mom2fussbudgets]

Deb, I would not be at all surprised if you are right. I've seen people do the exact same thing. My mom is the world's worst at doing this sort of thing. I've seen her pull food out of her refrigerator and eat it after it's been sitting in there for a week!

I am completely grossed out by your boss eating that sandwich. Ugh! It was nice of you to get it for him though!

[ept_0202]

when i saw this on the news, ConAgra was saying that it may be that the potpies aren't being heated all they way, but that they would investigate. It is just a guess if what you buy will make you sick or not.

[notyard]

Poultry remains notorious for carrying bacteria--when alive or after slaughtered and neatly butchered for grocery tray pack or cubed in little bits for pot pies. It probably is the stated issue of people not thoroughly cooking the pot pies, though an investigation will not hurt to ensure that this is the case. You can't just rule it out as improper cooking until the plant in question is examined.

The ConAgra notice specifically mentions improving microwave instructions to more clearly list cooking times for different wattages. Microwave ovens improved vastly over the years with the addition of turntables, better evenness in cooking waves, and so forth, but I wouldn't bank on printed instructions on the back of a frozen pot pie or dinner ever. Only checking the item with a thermometer will help ensure it reached proper temperature to kill bacteria and other organisms during cooking, as a previous poster mentioned.

[bugspost]

These were on sale Sunday at the store........2 for $1........:eek:

I don't believe it is just about how people are heating them......c'mon.......they have been around for a long time. The chicken and turkey prolly have a high amount of salmonella for people to be getting sick.

[rdginto]

We had them in our freezer and I ate one just last week for lunch. Don't you know a few days later I was very sick...sharp stomach pains and slept about a day and a half. Couldn't figure out what was wrong. The stomach ache continued for another several days and then a friend emailed me about the pot pies. By now the bug is through my system. I cooked mine in our toaster oven as opposed to the microwave. I've thrown out the rest - just in case - but it probably wont stop me from buying them in the future. It's a yummy hot lunch on cool days (which we finally got one this morning).

:o

[GeorgiaMom]

These are one of my boys' favorite meals served over rice or noodles. We eat these a couple times a month and have never gotten sick. I always cook them in the oven though and always for a couple minutes longer than the box says is recommended.

[VanillaBean]

also Meijer, Kroger brand and WalMarts Great Value potpies are being recalled as well- just saw it on news

[SaavySampler]

I don't think it is so much the manufacturer. I have seen alot of people not cook these properly. Especially in the microwave. Different altitudes, wattages etc can all be factors. But it's not like the company can sit and watch. Could be an issue. Just fuuny too me how it's never people. Look at the "Infant Cold" medicines. Parents were guessing at how much they should give a child under 2 and then ultimately overdosing. It's responsibility on both parts. Everything we eat, even vegetables grown at home are contaminated in some way. Aren't they?