Critics: ConAgra Mishandled Recall

Source: Associated Press

By JOSH FUNK

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Critics say ConAgra Foods Inc.'s delay in recalling pot pies linked to a nationwide salmonella outbreak increased the chance that more people would become sick, opened up the company to greater liability, and exposed a key weakness in the nation's food safety system: voluntary recalls.

"It's clear that this recall wasn't well handled, and the outbreak may well grow," said Caroline Smith DeWaal, director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest's food safety division.

ConAgra issued a health alert Tuesday afternoon and asked stores nationwide to stop selling Banquet and store-brand chicken and turkey pot pies, but the company didn't recall the pies until Thursday evening. The company and federal officials warned customers not to eat the pot pies and to throw them away, and ConAgra is offering refunds.

The recall, which also includes beef pot pies to avoid confusion, affects all varieties sold under the store brands Albertson's, Hill Country Fare, Food Lion, Great Value (sold at Wal-Mart stores), Kirkwood, Kroger, Meijer and Western Family.

Read more: http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1118&u_mod=&u_sid=10153861

about the recall?

There was a time when these plants were inspected and recalls were ordered by the USDA proactively. Of course, back then there were far fewer recalls because inspectors kept the companies somewhat honest when it came to food safety.

But that was back in the good old days. You know, back before we were a country that argued about the definition of torture.

which were sold by Sam's Club. I just returned mine the other day.The clerk were just taking them back voluntarily. I told him if they were safe then he could eat them and left the CNN article on the recall. I'm not comfortable with any of this process food any more, if the Chinese don't kill us our own corporations will. Too bad our government is not protecting the consumer, before giving subsidies to corporate farms.