The U.S. government report says that microwaveable potpies were the real culprit for a salmonella outbreak that victimized several US states during the last year.

The report has been published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 26th Nov. issue.

There were 401 cases of salmonella in 40 states because of that outbreak and almost 32 % of these people had to get hospital treatment. Investigation revealed that Banquet’s frozen microwavable potpies were the source of the outbreak.

The report also shows that almost 77% (who got illness) had cooked these potpies in microwaves and confusion in understanding of microwaving instructions became the cause of potpies’ improper cooking. ConAgra Foods Inc., the maker of these potpies had to recall nine brands of the potpies during October 07.

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According to a study conducted by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, women who have diabetes before becoming pregnant are three to four times more likely  to giving birth a baby with at least one birth defect.

This is the first study of its kind that classify a wide range of birth defects that are linked with pre-pregnancy diagnosis of 1 or type2 diabetes, i.e., brain and spine defects, heart defects, oral clefts, limb deficiencies, kidney and gastrointestinal tract defects.

The research has been published in American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Lead Author of the study Dr. Adolfo Correa, who is an epidemiologist at the CDC’s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, says in this connection “This growing link between diabetes and a lot of birth defects shows how important it is for the women to receive the best possible preconception care and particularly for those who are found with diabetes.”

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