Potpies linked to salmonella are recalled

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

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

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

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

She said she knew of no link between cases of salmonella and the beef potpies.

The ConAgra potpies 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, but so far no deaths have been linked to the potpies.

The store brands are Albertson’s, Hill Country Fare, Food Lion, Great Value (sold at Wal-Mart), Kirkwood, Kroger, Meijer and Western Family.

ConAgra is offering refunds. Consumers with questions can call the company toll-free at (866) 484-8671.