News Release

Consumer FAQs-Banquet Pot Pie and Store Brand Pot Pie Recall

Oct 11, 2007, 3:51 PM EDT

What products are included in the recall?

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 are included in the voluntary recall. Only varieties produced before Oct. 10, 2007, were affected. Products produced after Oct. 26, 2007, are not included in the recall.

Where were the recalled products sold?

The Banquet brand of frozen pot pies are available nationwide.

The store brand not-ready-to-eat pot pie products are available in certain stores and are sold under the 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).

What should I do with this product?
Consumers can either:

Return the empty package to the store from where you purchased it for a refund and discard the product before returning the empty package.
Mail the UPC code (bar code) with your name and address for a refund to:
ConAgra Foods
Department BQPP
P.O. Box 3768
Omaha, NE 68103
Discard it (throw it away).

I've tried returning the product to the store and they will not refund my money (either due to no receipt or simply refusing to refund the product).

We would be more than happy to refund you for this product. Please mail the UPC code (bar code), along with your name and address to:

ConAgra Foods
Dept. BQPP
P.O. Box 3768
Omaha, NE 68103
This refund will include your postage. Please allow 8-10 weeks to receive your refund.

Why didn't the company recall these products initially?

Since the first announcement on Oct. 9, ConAgra Foods has advised consumers to not eat these products in order to help ensure consumer safety, and the recall of Oct. 11 helped us provide additional clarity around the fact that consumers should not eat these products.

What is Salmonella and what are the risks? What are the symptoms of salmonella?

According to the CDC, the Salmonella germ is actually a group of bacteria that can cause diarrhea illness in humans. It can be passed from the feces of people or animals to other people or animals. Most people infected with salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps within 12 hours to 72 hours. The illness usually lasts four days to seven days, and most people recover without treatment. Additionally, the CDC states that while many raw foods of animal origin are frequently contaminated, thorough cooking kills Salmonella.

What are the symptoms of salmonella in humans?

Most people infected with salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps within 12 hours to 72 hours. The illness usually lasts four days to seven days, and most people recover without treatment.

For more information about salmonella, visit www.ific.org.

If I have been sick or know someone who has been sick, what do I do?

Please call 1-866-484-8671 for further assistance.

How do you know if a product has been contaminated by Salmonella?

Contaminated foods usually look and smell normal. Additionally, the CDC states that while many raw foods of animal origin are frequently contaminated, thorough cooking kills Salmonella.

Are you recalling any products other than Banquet Pot Pies ( i.e., Banquet Salisbury Steak Dinner, Marie Callender's pot pies)?

No other Banquet products are affected. In addition, this recall does not include Marie Callender's pot pies, which are manufactured in Council Bluffs, IA.

I heard that all Banquet products with the code 5009 are being recalled . . . Is this true?

No. This recall only applies only to 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 are included in the voluntary recall.

How did this happen?

ConAgra Foods continues to work with the USDA to investigate this issue. However, in the interest of consumer safety, we made a decision to voluntarily recall these products. To learn more about the improved food safety measure we implemented, click here.