Oct
19
Written by:
Brad Meyer
10/19/2007 10:33 AM
Questions and Answers
Related to the Outbreak of Salmonella infections from Banquet Pot Pies
· What is salmonellosis? What are the symptoms?
· How do people get infected with Salmonella?
· How is salmonellosis diagnosed?
· Does Salmonella make foods taste or look different?
· I/my household member ate a Banquet Pot pies or a pot pie made by ConAgra Foods product code beginning in 5009 and ending in P9 or Est 1059 and I/my household member is ill with diarrhea. What should I do?
· I have a Banquet pot pie or pot pie made by ConAgra Foods with a product code beginning in 5009 and ending in P9 or Est 1059 in my freezer at home. What should I do?
· How did Salmonella get into the Banquet pot pies made by ConAgra Foods?
· Have pot pies made by ConAgra Foods that neither are Banquet brand pot pies nor have a printed code beginning in 5009 and ending in P9 or Est 1059 been associated with illness?
· Have pot pies made by companies other than ConAgra Foods been associated with illness?
· What other advice does CDC have about Salmonella?
· Where can I find additional information?
What is salmonellosis? What are the symptoms?
Salmonellosis is an infection caused by bacteria called Salmonella. Most people infected with Salmonella develop fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps 1272 hours after exposure. Although illness usually lasts 47 days and most people recover without treatment, severe illness may occur that requires medical attention and hospitalization. In these patients, the Salmonella infection can spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other body sites. In this situation, the infection can cause death unless the patient is treated promptly with antibiotics. Infants, elderly people, and people with impaired immune systems are more likely than other people to become severely ill.
How do people get infected with Salmonella?
Salmonella live in the intestinal tracts of animals, including birds and reptiles. Salmonella usually are transmitted to humans when we eat food contaminated with animal feces or food contaminated by a food handler who forgot to wash his or her hands with soap after handling raw meat, poultry or eggs, or after using the bathroom. Salmonella is also transmitted when contaminated objects or fingers are put into the mouth. The feces of some pets, especially reptiles, can contain Salmonella, and people can be infected if they do not wash their hands after contact with reptiles or their environment. Contaminated food, for example, beef, poultry, milk, and eggs, often originates from animals. However, many foods, including fruits, vegetables, and even flour can become contaminated.
How is salmonellosis diagnosed?
Salmonella infection is usually diagnosed by culture of a stool sample. In severe illness, it can sometimes be cultured from other body sources such as blood.
Does Salmonella make foods taste or look different?
Most products contaminated with Salmonella do not taste or look any different than normal. Some taste bad because they contain other contaminants.
I/my household member ate a Banquet Pot pies or a pot pie made by ConAgra Foods product code beginning in 5009 and ending in P9 or Est 1059 and I/my household member is ill with diarrhea. What should I do?
Do not eat any more of these pot pies. If the diarrheal illness is severe, with bloody diarrhea, fever, or symptoms lasting more than three days, you should consult a healthcare provider. Salmonella infection is diagnosed by culture of a stool specimen. Call your local health department as well, as they may wish to investigate your case further.
I have a Banquet pot pie or pot pie made by ConAgra Foods with a product code beginning in 5009 and ending in P9 or Est 1059 in my freezer at home. What should I do?
Until further information is available, CDC and United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) are advising the public to not eat any Banquet pot pies or pot pies made by ConAgra Foods that have a printed product code beginning in 5009 and ending in P9 or Est 1059. Other brands of pot pies made in the ConAgra Foods factory that makes Banquet brand pot pies and sold under other brand names may also be contaminated with Salmonella. These other pot pie boxes also have a printed code beginning in 5009 and ending in P9 or Est 1059. If you have any of these products at home, the safest thing to do is to discard them.
How did Salmonella get into the Banquet pot pies made by ConAgra Foods?
It is not known how Salmonella contaminated these products. An investigation is underway to determine how contamination might have occurred.
Have pot pies made by ConAgra Foods that neither are Banquet brand pot pies nor have a printed code beginning in 5009 and ending in P9 or Est 1059 been associated with illness?
CDC is not aware of any human illness associated with brands of pot pies made by ConAgra Foods other than Banquet brand. However, ConAgra Foods has placed a market hold on these products as a precautionary measure.
Have pot pies made by companies other than ConAgra Foods been associated with illness?
CDC is not aware of any human illness associated with pot pies made by companies other than ConAgra Foods.
What other advice does CDC have about Salmonella?
Because foods of animal origin may be contaminated with Salmonella, people should not eat raw or undercooked eggs, poultry, or meat, or drink raw (unpasteurized) milk. Raw eggs may be unrecognized in some foods such as homemade Hollandaise sauce, Caesar and other homemade salad dressings, tiramisu, homemade ice cream, homemade mayonnaise, cookie dough, and frostings. To keep your food safe, remember to Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill. For more food safety information visit www.BeFoodSafe.gov.
Where can I find additional information?
Additional information about Salmonella: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/salmonellosis_g.htm#What%20is%20salmonellosis
USDA FSIS Public Health Alert:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_100907_01/index.asp
* Links to non-Federal organizations found at this site are provided solely as a service to our users. These links do not constitute an endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the Federal Government, and none should be inferred. CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organization Web pages found at these links.
Page last modified: October 11, 2007
Content Source: National Center for Zoonotic, Vector-Borne, and Enteric Diseases (ZVED)
Page Located on the Web at http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/4512eyeminus_faq.html
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