http://media.conagrafoods.com:80/phoenix.zhtml?c=97518&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1061951&highlight=ConAgra Foods Recalls All Banquet Pot Pies and Store Brand Pot Pies OMAHA, Neb.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 11, 2007--ConAgra Foods announced today that it is continuing its efforts to ensure consumer safety by voluntarily recalling all varieties of Banquet brand frozen pot pies and all varieties of store brand frozen pot pies sold under the names of Albertson's, Hill Country Fare, Food Lion, Great Value, Kirkwood, Kroger, Meijer and Western Family.
Earlier this week, ConAgra Foods was contacted by state health officials regarding concerns that some of its Banquet poultry pot pie products may be linked to an outbreak of salmonella. In cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), on Oct. 9, ConAgra Foods directed retailers to remove the poultry pot pies from shelves, suspended pot pie production in its Marshall, Mo., plant and advised consumers to not eat these products and discard these products while an investigation was conducted.
As that investigation continues, ConAgra Foods today voluntarily issued the recall to ensure the utmost clarity for consumers about the fact that they should not eat these products. Additionally, to avoid any confusion on pot pie varieties, ConAgra Foods has simplified the recall to include all Banquet and store brand pot pie varieties, as listed above and at the end of this release.
If they wish, consumers may continue to use the same return process as described on Tuesday. They may return these products to ConAgra Foods for a refund by sending the side panel of the package that contains the UPC code 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 or panel containing UPC code to their retail store.
As conveyed earlier this week, ConAgra Foods reminds consumers that these products are not ready-to-eat. Before the product returns to market, the company will revise on-package cooking directions to provide additional clarity on proper preparation by consumers. Proper cooking of all not-ready-to-eat products, including pot pies, is specifically designed to eliminate the presence of common pathogens found in many uncooked products.
Consumers with questions about Banquet or store brand 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.
The recall includes all Banquet pot pie varieties, including poultry and beef. The store brand not-ready-to-eat pot pie products include all varieties under the following brand names:
-- Albertson's (sold at Albertson's);
-- Hill Country Fare (sold at HEB);
-- Food Lion (sold at Food Lion);
-- Great Value (sold at Wal-Mart);
-- Kirkwood (sold at Aldi);
-- Kroger (sold at Kroger);
-- Meijer (sold at Meijer);
-- Western Family (now discontinued; previously sold at a variety
of small retailers).
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.
CONTACT: ConAgra Foods Inc.
Consumer Toll-Free Line:
866-484-8671
or
Media:
Stephanie Childs, 402-595-6258
or
Analysts:
Anthony Aguilar, 402-595-4301
www.conagrafoods.com SOURCE: ConAgra Foods Inc.
Consumer FAQs-Banquet Pot Pie and Store Brand Pot Pie Recall What products are included in the recall?
All varieties of
Banquet brand frozen pot pies and all varieties of store brand frozen pot pies sold under the names of Albertson's, Hill Country Fare, Food Lion, Great Value, Kirkwood, Kroger, Meijer and Western Family are included in the voluntary recall.
Where are these products sold?
The Banquet brand of frozen pot pies are available nationwide.
The store brand not-ready-to-eat pot pie products are available in certain stores and are sold under the names:
Albertson's (sold at Albertson's);
Hill Country Fare (sold at HEB);
Food Lion (sold at Food Lion);
Great Value (sold at Wal-Mart);
Kirkwood (sold at Aldi);
Kroger (sold at Kroger);
Meijer (sold at Meijer);
Western Family (now discontinued; previously sold at a variety of small retailers).
What should I do? What should I do with this product?
Consumers can either:
Return the empty package to the store from where you purchased it for a refund and discard the product before returning the empty package.
Mail the UPC code (bar code) with your name and address for a refund to:
ConAgra Foods
Department BQPP
P.O. Box 3768
Omaha, NE 68103
Discard it (throw it away).
I've tried returning the product to the store and they will not refund my money (either due to no receipt or simply refusing to refund the product).
We would be more than happy to refund you for this product. Please mail the the UPC code (bar code), along with your name and address to:
ConAgra Foods
Dept. BQPP
P.O. Box 3768
Omaha, NE 68103
This refund will include your postage. Please allow 6-8 weeks to receive your refund.
Why didn't the company recall these products initially?
Since the first announcement on Oct. 9, ConAgra Foods has advised consumers to not eat these products in order to help ensure consumer safety, and the recall of Oct. 11 helped us provide additional clarity around the fact that consumers should not eat these products.
What is Salmonella and what are the risks? What are the symptoms of salmonella?
According to the CDC, the Salmonella germ is actually a group of bacteria that can cause diarrhea illness in humans. It can be passed from the feces of people or animals to other people or animals. Most people infected with salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps within 12 hours to 72 hours. The illness usually lasts four days to seven days, and most people recover without treatment. Additionally, the CDC states that while many raw foods of animal origin are frequently contaminated, thorough cooking kills Salmonella.
What are the symptoms of salmonella in humans?
Most people infected with salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps within 12 hours to 72 hours. The illness usually lasts four days to seven days, and most people recover without treatment.
For more information about salmonella, visit
www.ific.org.
If I have been sick or know someone who has been sick, what do I do?
Please call 1-866-484-8671 for further assistance.
How do you know if a product has been contaminated by Salmonella?
Contaminated foods usually look and smell normal. Additionally, the CDC states that while many raw foods of animal origin are frequently contaminated, thorough cooking kills Salmonella.
Are you recalling any products other than Banquet Pot Pies ( i.e., Banquet Salisbury Steak Dinner, Marie Callender's pot pies)?
No other Banquet products are affected. In addition, this recall does not include Marie Callender's pot pies.
I heard that all Banquet products with the code 5009 are being recalled . . . Is this true?
No. This recall only applies only to all varieties of Banquet brand frozen pot pies and all varieties of store brand frozen pot pies sold under the names of Albertson's, Hill Country Fare, Food Lion, Great Value, Kirkwood, Kroger, Meijer and Western Family are included in the voluntary recall.
How did this happen?
ConAgra Foods continues to work with the USDA to investigate this issue. However, in the interest of consumer safety, we made a decision to voluntarily recall these products.
