Two products manufactured and marketed by ConAgra Foods and available in nearly every food market in the U.S. are the subject of a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Class I Recall and a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) public health warning this week after being linked to foodborne illness.

On February 12, 2007, the USDA issued a Class I Recall, its highest level of health warning, for ConAgra’s Banquet Homestyle Bakes containing pasta and meatballs because of possible under processing. Processed between October 19, 2006 and January 25, 2007, over 402,000 pounds of Banquet Homestyle Bakes product are being recalled. Consumers may return unopened packages of the following products to the store where purchased for a full refund:

• Banquet Homestyle Bakes, Pasta & Meatballs in Marinara Sauce
• Banquet Homestyle Bakes, Pasta in Marinara Sauce with Meat
• Banquet Homestyle Bakes, Penne Pasta & Grated Cheese, MEATBALLS INCLUDED

Banquet Homestyle Bakes cartons contain one can of marinara sauce and meatballs, one pouch of pasta and one pouch of grated cheese. Cartons bear the UPC code “5010040737” and a “Best-By” date of either “JAN 25 2008,” “DEC 13 2007,” NOV 13 2007,” or “OCT 19 2007.”

The USDA defines a Class I Recall as a health hazard grave enough that use of the product could cause serious personal injury, or even death, to a consumer. Under-processed food is known to carry strains of Salmonella bacteria which can cause serious illnesses. Salmonella bacteria causes disorders and diseases of the gastrointestinal system, including S. Typhi and S. Typhimurium, both deadly strains of typhoid fever, as well as food poisoning.

On February 14, 2007, the FDA issued a public health advisory warning consumers to avoid eating certain jars of Peter Pan or Great Value peanut butter after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that 288 cases of foodborne illness from Salmonella Tennessee in 39 states were linked to the consumption of varying types of Peter Pan peanut butter.

Great Value peanut butter is manufactured in the same Georgia plant as the Peter Pan peanut butter linked to the cases of Salmonella Tennessee contamination, and so was included in the public health warning.

ConAgra Foods is now recalling all Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter with a product code beginning with the number “2111” located on the lid of the jar, and is destroying all remaining lots in its possession. ConAgra Foods will cease production of Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter until the source of the Salmonella Tennessee contamination can be found.

Salmonella is the single most common cause of food poisoning in the U.S. (Source: Salmonella.org, San Diego State University Department of Biology). Symptoms include:

• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal cramps
• Muscle weakness

In small children or people with weakened immune systems, Salmonella can invade the blood stream and cause life-threatening infections.

Consumers should immediately check any Peter Pan or Great Value brand peanut butter in their possession for a date code beginning with “2111” and destroy any remaining product. The FDA is investigating the Georgia ConAgra manufacturing plant to collect product samples and test for Salmonella Tennessee bacteria.

Consumers who would like more information may contact ConAgra 24 hours a day at 1-866-344-6970.

Sources: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Recall Release #FSIS-RC-011-2007, February 12, 2007; U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Release #P07-21, February 14, 2007.