ConAgra Finally Recalls Pot Pies

Two days ago I told you about the ConAgra Foods, Banquet Pot Pies, situation. At the time ConAgra was aware that some of their pot pies might contain salmonella and they were simply advising customers to cook them thoroughly.

Well, today, they are singing a different tune.

ConAgra Foods Inc. recalled all its Banquet pot pies and store brand varieties Thursday after the products were linked to a nationwide salmonella outbreak.

The company included beef pot pies in the recall after initially saying only the chicken and turkey pot pies should not be eaten.

ConAgra issued a consumer alert Tuesday and asked stores nationwide to stop selling the poultry pot pies, but the company stopped short of a recall until Thursday evening.

ConAgra spokeswoman Stephanie Childs said the decision to recall the pies wasn't based on new information, but an abundance of caution.

"We want to make sure there's no confusion with consumers, that these pot pies shouldn't be eaten," Childs said.

She said she knew of no indication of a link between cases of salmonella and the beef pot pies, but the company wanted to be careful as it collects information.

The pot pies made by ConAgra have been linked to at least 165 cases of salmonella in 31 states. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said at least 30 people have been hospitalized as part of the ongoing outbreak, but so far no deaths have been linked to the pot pies.

The company and federal officials warned customers not to eat the pot pies and to throw them away, and ConAgra is offering refunds. The store brand versions are sold under the names of Albertson's, Hill Country Fare, Food Lion, Great Value (sold at Wal-Mart stores), Kirkwood, Kroger, Meijer and Western Family.

How many stores didn't stop selling them on Tuesday? How many pot pies were sold from Tuesday through Thursday? I guess it doesn't matter now because ConAgra decided to act with an "abundance of caution" right?

And people actually felt the need to ask my why we are boycotting all ConAgra products at ths time. It's times like these that I wonder if it would be more prudent to just take nutritional supplements and not worry with all the different foods out there. Kidding people. I couldn't turn away from food if I tried.