Leaving ConAgra no room to deny the obvious, according to the CDC, at least 272 isolates of Salmonella I 4,[5],12:i:- with an indistinguishable genetic fingerprint have been collected from ill persons in 35 states. To date, three of these patients’ pot pies have yielded Salmonella I4,[5],12:i:- isolates with a genetic fingerprint indistinguishable from the outbreak pattern. I guess that is more than a “smoking gun,” but a smoking pot pie.

Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12–72 hours after infection. Infection is usually diagnosed by culture of a stool sample. The illness usually lasts 4 – 7 days. Although most people recover without treatment, severe infections may occur. Infants, elderly persons, and people with impaired immune systems are more likely than others to develop severe illness. In severe infection, Salmonella spreads from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other body sites, and death can occur if the person is not treated promptly with antibiotics.

To date we have been contacted by over 100 people who believe they have become ill as a result of eating ConAgra Banquet Pot Pies.  Of those thus far we have been able to confirm nearly 20 as suffering from a Salmonella I 4,[5],12:i:- infection.  Three lawsuits have been filed to date.