The makers of Marie Callender's frozen dinners, ConAgra Foods, have issued a recall  of one of their products following reports of consumers contracting salmonella.  During their investigation, the CDC found that eight patients had eaten the product in April and May, though it may be linked to the illnesses of as many as 29 people in 14 states.  The product in question is Marie Callender's Cheesy Chicken & Rice White Meat Chicken and Broccoli over Rice Topped with Rich Cheddar Sauce.

The USDA warns that consumers should always use a thermometer to ensure that any frozen meals are cooked to at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.  At this point, anyone who has the ConAgra product in their freezers should discard it or return it to their place of purchase for a refund.  A number of stores have also pulled the products from their shelves  following ConAgra's recall announcement.

The symptoms of salmonella food poisoning include fever, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea, typically occurring within 72 hours of consuming contaminated food.  Lesser symptoms may last up to a week, including chills, headache, nausea, and vomiting.

At least one lawsuit  has resulted from this recall, brought by an Oregon man who fell ill after eating the Marie Callender's meals in May.  His attorneys report that he fainted and fell in his bathroom, at which point he was transferred to the emergency room and remained there for five days being treated for a salmonella infection.  He is seeking at least $75,000 in damages.

Though this recall is notable due to the CDC's investigation uncovering reported cases, another incident reported along the same time prompted a recall of some bags of Natural Balance Pet Food ; however, the company maintains that there have been no complaints  of sickness and the problem was discovered during a random sample test by the FDA.