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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007 |
CONTACT Lori Maldonado |
State Health Officials Urge Coloradans to Discontinue Use and Discard Certain Frozen Pot Pie Products Due to Possible Salmonella ContaminationDENVER— The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued a public health alert advising consumers not to eat Banquet brand and generic store brand frozen pot pie products bearing the “P-9” number on the side of the package, as they may be contaminated with Salmonella. The generic brand pot pies are sold under the names Great Value (sold at Wal-Mart nationally) and Kroger (sold at King Soopers and City Market). A current investigation is being conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state health departments to determine if the pot pie products are linked to a recent Salmonella outbreak that has sickened nearly 139 individuals. No Colorado cases have been confirmed to date. Alicia Cronquist, an epidemiologist with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, noted that although the products have not been recalled by the manufacturer, state health officials are urging grocery and retail stores selling these products to pull them from store shelves until the source of the Salmonella contamination is confirmed. Daniel Rifkin, Wholesale Food Program manager for the Department of Public Health and Environment’s Consumer Protection Division, advised consumers to discard the products until the source, products and potential production dates of contamination can be determined. Salmonella SymptomsThe symptoms of foodborne illness caused by Salmonella may include fever, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. “In people with poor underlying health or weakened immune systems, Salmonella can invade the bloodstream and cause life-threatening infections,” Rifkin said. “Anyone experiencing severe symptoms should contact his or her health care professional.” Consumers with questions about these products may contact ConAgra’s hotline at 866-484-8671. Consumers with food safety questions may call Daniel Rifkin of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Consumer Protection Division at 303-692-3644. ---30--- |
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