Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Infections Associated With Frozen Pot Pies—United States, 2007

The results of subsequent investigations of the multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections are presented. A multistate case-control study indicated that illness was associated with consumption of Banquet brand frozen, not-ready-to-eat pot pies. Further investigation determined that 77% of patients who ate these pies cooked them in microwave ovens and that consumer confusion regarding microwaving instructions might have resulted in a failure to cook the product properly. This outbreak highlights the need to cook not-ready-to-eat frozen foods thoroughly; these products should be clearly labeled as requiring complete cooking, and cooking instructions should be validated to account for variability in microwave wattage and common misconceptions among consumers regarding the nature of not-ready-to-eat foods. A CDC editorial note is included.