Several state health departments have told ConAgra Foods Inc. its Banquet pot pies may be linked to cases of salmonella, but the company says the pies are safe if they’re cooked properly.

ConAgra spokeswoman Stephanie Childs said Tuesday she didn’t know how many health departments had contacted the company, which is working with officials to determine whether any additional precautions are necessary. No recall is being planned, she said.

Earlier this year, ConAgra had to recall all of its peanut butter because it was linked to a different salmonella outbreak.

Dave Daigle with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed Tuesday that the agency is tracking a large salmonella outbreak with cases in several states.

More details of the salmonella outbreak, including the number of cases reported and states involved, were expected to be released later Tuesday.

Salmonella sickens about 40,000 people a year in the U.S. and kills about 600. It can cause diarrhea, fever, dehydration, abdominal pain and vomiting. Most cases of salmonella poisoning are caused by undercooked eggs and chicken.

Childs said ConAgra is confident in the safety of its chicken and turkey pot pies when all the cooking instructions on the package are followed. It is especially important to follow the directions when the pies are cooked in a microwave.

“Consumers should always read the directions to make sure they are cooking the product properly,” Childs said.

Pot pies need to be cooked longer in microwaves that have less power, Childs said. A good sign that the pot pie is done is when steam rises out of it.

Childs said the cooking will kill any common pathogens routinely found in uncooked products that contain poultry.

In February, the CDC linked ConAgra’s peanut butter, including Peter Pan, to the illnesses of more than 625 people in 47 states.

ConAgra resumed shipping Peter Pan in August. The company faces several lawsuits filed by people who said they became ill after eating Peter Pan.

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