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.
Click here for Consumer FAQs-Banquet Pot Pie and Store Brand Pot Pie Recall