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A suspected link between Banquet Turkey and Chicken Pot Pies and salmonella infections to 139 people in 30 US states has forced health authorities to issue a warning regarding consumption of these products. ConAgra Foods, which manufactures these pot pies, has voluntarily stopped production in its Missouri plant following salmonella concerns.
Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Last year the Salinas Valley was in the forefront of a salmonella outbreak, which was traced to bagged baby spinach. That outbreak had killed three people and had sickened hundreds before it was finally contained.
Salmonella is often the culprit in food poisoning. Some of the symptoms include diarrhea, stomach ache as well as insidious fever. Although the bug is not usually fatal, the very old and the very young are at a high risk. Around 40,000 Americans are affected by some sort of food poisoning involving salmonella each year. It is estimated that 600 die as a result of this infection.
In the present case, ConAgra said the pot pies were safe, but the salmonella infections may be resulting due to undercooking the food. The company also said it is co-operating with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in this regard and has advised consumers to stay off the pot pies until the salmonella allegations are clarified.
“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," ConAgra said on its web site.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the US Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) are looking into an outbreak of infections with a particular strain of Salmonella called Salmonella I,4,[5],12:i:-. This salmonella bug has infected 139 humans in 30 states across the US.
Thus far there are no reports of any casualties and the infections have hit people aged 1-80 years.
This is not the first time that ConAgra products are linked to Salmonella. In February-March this year, Peter Pan butter was linked to 288 food-borne infections across 39 states. Although no casualties were reported, at least 20 percent of the people who were infected had to be hospitalized.
Salmonella is a mean bug if left untreated. The increasing number of product recalls bears testimony to the fact that better detection systems are in place. It also raises the question whether these systems are adequate enough to protect produce from contamination.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the following measures should be undertaken to prevent salmonella infection:
* Cook poultry, ground beef, and eggs thoroughly before eating. Do not eat or drink foods containing raw eggs, or raw unpasteurized milk.
* If you are served undercooked meat, poultry or eggs in a restaurant, don't hesitate to send it back to the kitchen for further cooking.
* Wash hands, kitchen work surfaces, and utensils with soap and water immediately after they have been in contact with raw meat or poultry.
* Be particularly careful with foods prepared for infants, the elderly, and the immunocompromised.
* Wash hands with soap after handling reptiles or birds, or after contact with pet feces.
* Avoid direct or even indirect contact between reptiles (turtles, iguanas, other lizards, snakes) and infants or immunocompromised persons.
* Don't work with raw poultry or meat, and an infant (e.g., feed, change diaper) at the same time.
* Mother's milk is the safest food for young infants. Breast-feeding prevents salmonellosis and many other health problems.
In the present case, consumers with questions regarding the cooking of Banquet pot pies may call 1-866-484-8671 or contact ConAgra at www.conagrafoods.com/contactus.
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