News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
DATE:
 June 18, 2010
CONTACT: Katie McKenna
kmckenna@topsmarkets.com

   
CONAGRA FOODS RECALLS MARIE CALLENDER CHEESY CHICKEN AND RICE FROZEN ENTRÉE
ONGOING U.S. CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL INVESTIGATION

WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. – Tops Friendly Markets, a leading full-service grocery retailer in upstate New York and northern Pennsylvania, announced today that ConAgra Foods has issued a voluntary recall of Marie Callender’s Cheesy Chicken and Rice single serve-serve frozen entrées.

The recall is in response to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s ongoing investigation of links between the product and 29 laboratory confirmed cases of salmonellosis, a bacterial foodborne illness linked to Salmonella Chester. Of these 29 confirmed cases, eight patients have specifically reported eating the entree in April or May 2010, prior to onset of illness.

As part of the manufacturer’s voluntary recall, Marie Callender’s Cheesy Chicken and Rice entrees have been taken off store shelves.

The product subject to recall is:

Marie Callender's Cheesy Chicken & Rice White Meat Chicken and Broccoli over Rice Topped with Rich Cheddar Sauce, 13 oz - 2113150469

Each package is labeled with establishment number "P-45" inside the USDA mark of inspection. ConAgra Foods is recalling every package of the product listed above regardless of production date.

Consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella can cause salmonellosis, one of the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses. Salmonella infections can be life-threatening, especially to those with weak immune systems, such as infants, the elderly, and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy. The most common manifestations of salmonellosis are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within eight to 72 hours. Additional symptoms may be chills, headache, nausea and vomiting that can last up to seven days.

Customers should check their homes for the product and discard of it, or return the product to any Tops, Quality, P&C or Bi-Lo location for a full refund. Customers with questions may contact ConAgra Foods hotline at (866) 484-9610.

Tops Friendly Markets takes food safety and the health and well-being of its customers very seriously. As an added benefit for Tops shoppers, Tops Markets works with an interactive voice response system to notify, by phone, registered BONUSCARD and Wild Card customers who may have recently purchased one or more recalled products.

Tops Markets, LLC, is headquartered in Williamsville, NY and operates 131 full-service supermarkets – 126 company-owned and five franchise locations. With more than 13,000 associates, Tops is a leading full-service grocery retailer in upstate New York and northern Pennsylvania. For more information about Tops Markets, visit the company's website at www.topsmarkets.com.

 

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