Salmonella Illnesses Linked to Poultry Pot Pies

Eight Salmonella infections reported in Idaho are being investigated and may be related to pot pies containing poultry meat. The frozen pies were sold under the brand name Banquet or a generic store brand name with a code number ‘P-9’ printed on the side of the box. Consumers are urged not to eat any of these poultry pot pies they may have in their freezers.

All eight Idaho infections appear to be from the southern portion of the state, however, the products are believed to be distributed throughout the state. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 137 Salmonella illnesses in 30 states may be related to the poultry pot pies. There were 23 hospitalizations nationwide, including two Idaho residents who have since recovered.

The federal Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is currently investigating the Missouri plant that produced the suspect pot pies to determine the source, products and potential production dates of contamination. Frozen convenience foods such as pot pies are not pre-cooked at the production facility so they must be thoroughly cooked at home for safe consumption.

When preparing frozen convenience foods, people are advised to use a cooking thermometer to be sure that temperatures in the product reach 165°F. Proper cooking temperatures are important to kill harmful bacteria in food. People should be aware that if a microwave oven is used for cooking, the food may not be cooked evenly and a cooking thermometer is the best assurance the food has reached safe temperatures.

Salmonella is a bacterium that may cause abdominal cramps, fever and severe diarrhea. Symptoms of salmonella infection usually begin 12 hours to three days following consumption of improperly cooked or contaminated foods. Symptoms are often more severe in young children, the elderly and people who have weakened immune systems. If people have severe symptoms, they are urged to contact their healthcare provider. Every year, approximately 150 Idaho residents become sick from Salmonella infections.

(For more information please contact Health and Welfare’s Tom Shanahan,
208-334-0668, or your District Health Department Public Information Officer.)