2007 News

October 11, 2007

Bucks County Health Department Advises Consumers of Pot Pie Salmonella Risk
Commissioners Join in Urging Awareness

In conjunction with a Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advisory for consumers not to eat Banquet brand and store brand frozen, not-ready-to-eat pot pie products due to possible Salmonella contamination, the Bucks County Health Department and the county commissioners add their plea of caution.

“We want to be certain that all Bucks County residents are taking the appropriate actions to protect their health, particularly because Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Calvin B. Johnson has informed our Health Director, Dr. Eleanor Travers, of 13 related cases in the commonwealth,” noted Commissioner Chairman Charles H. Martin. “Federal officials continue to share information about the possible contamination with health officials at all levels.”

Dr. Travers and Dr. Johnson urge anyone who has purchased these Banquet and store brand pot pie products – which will have the plant code “P9” on the side of the package and were manufactured at a ConAgra Food facility in Missouri – to discard them promptly. These frozen items are sold by grocery stores and other retailers nationwide.

Since the start of 2007, at least 139 illnesses caused by a strain of Salmonella with a specific “DNA fingerprint” pattern have been identified throughout the United States. No deaths have been reported. A total of 13 of the investigated cases are in Pennsylvania, including one in Bucks County. Four of those 13 cases statewide have required hospitalization.

According to Bucks County and Pennsylvania Health Department officials, “Salmonella is a bacterial infection that can cause diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramping and vomiting. Symptoms usually occur in 24 to 72 hours, and patients typically recover in five to seven days. Some individuals, particularly infants, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems, are at increased risk for severe illness.” Individuals who are currently ill with symptoms of diarrhea and fever should see their health care provider and inform them if they consumed pot pies within a week of becoming ill. For more information about Salmonella, please visit www.health.state.pa.us or call the county Health Department (215-345-3318).