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November 1, 2007
Totino's and Jeno's Frozen Pizzas Recalled Due to Possible E. coli Contamination
Totino's and Jeno's today announced a voluntary recall of frozen pizzas with pepperoni toppings because of possible contamination of the pepperoni topping with E. coli O157:H7.
The recall affects approximately 414,000 cases of pizza products currently in stores and all similar pizza products in consumers' freezers. It includes eight SKUs (stock keeping units or UPC codes) of Totino's brand frozen pizza and three SKUs of Jeno's brand frozen pizza with pepperoni topping, or incorporating pepperoni in combination with other toppings.
The specific products in the recall include:
| Brand |
Product |
SKU number |
| Totino's |
Party Supreme |
42800-10700 |
| Totino's |
Three Meat |
42800-10800 |
| Totino's |
Pepperoni |
42800-11400 |
| Totino's |
Pepperoni |
42800-92114 |
| Totino's |
Classic Pepperoni |
42800-11402 |
| Totino's |
Pepperoni Trio |
42800-72157 |
| Totino's |
Party Combo |
42800-11600 |
| Totino's |
Combo |
42800-92116 |
| |
| Jeno's |
Crisp 'n Tasty Supreme |
35300-00561 |
| Jeno's |
Crisp 'n Tasty Pepperoni |
35300-00572 |
| Jeno's |
Crisp 'n Tasty Combo |
35300-00576 |
The frozen pizza products were produced in the company's Wellston, Ohio, plant and distributed to retail establishments nationwide.
The potential problem was uncovered by state and federal authorities investigating 21 occurrences of E. coli-related illnesses in 10 states. Approximately half of the individuals who became ill were hospitalized as a result. The earliest case reported to state authorities occurred on July 20, and the latest case reported occurred on Oct. 10. Nine of the 21 people reported having eaten Totino's or Jeno's pizza with pepperoni topping at some point prior to becoming ill. Since July 1 of this year, Totino's and Jeno's have distributed more than 120 million pizzas nationwide.
Totino's and Jeno's, working in cooperation with federal and state food safety authorities, launched an investigation immediately upon learning of the potential problem.
In response, General Mills, the parent company of Totino's and Jeno's, initiated a voluntary Class I recall as a precaution. The investigation is ongoing, and the company continues to cooperate fully with all involved state and federal authorities.
E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. Seniors, the very young, and persons with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.
Any consumers concerned about an illness should contact a physician. Anyone diagnosed by a physician as having an illness related to E. coli O157:H7 is also urged to contact state and local public health authorities.
Consumers can contact Totino's / Jeno's for product replacement by clipping the UPC (bar code) symbol from each pizza box and sending their UPC's, along with their name and address to:
Totino's / Jeno's
P.O. Box 200 - Pizza
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0200
The product itself should be thrown away. Consumers with additional questions about the recall should contact the company at (800) 949-9055.
October 11, 2007
ConAgra Foods Recalls All Banquet Pot Pies and Store Brand Pot Pies.
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.
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
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