In a landmark verdict, a jury in Illinois has ordered Conagra Brands, the parent company of popular cooking spray brand Pam, to pay $7.1 million to Tammy Reese, a Pennsylvania woman who was severely injured in a workplace accident involving a can of Swell cooking spray in 2017. The verdict, issued on Monday in favor of Reese, marks the first of many similar cases from burn victims across the country who have experienced accidents with Conagra-made cooking spray brands.

According to the lawsuit filed on Reese's behalf, the incident occurred at a social club kitchen where she was employed. Without warning, a can of Swell cooking spray suddenly exploded into a fireball, causing extensive burns and injuries. Reese suffered deep second-degree burns on her head, face, arms, and hands, which continue to limit her movement six years later.

The Cook County Circuit Court ruled that Conagra Brands must pay $3.1 million in compensatory damages and an additional $4 million in punitive damages to Reese. However, the company expressed its disagreement with the jury's verdict and emphasized that the safety of their products and consumers is always a top priority.

Conagra Brands, known for its high-profile food brands such as Marie Callender's, Reddi-wip, Swiss Miss, Hunt's, Chef Boyardee, and Slim Jim, has been facing more than 50 pending cases from burn victims across the country. Despite the increasing number of incidents, the company has refused to issue a product recall for the allegedly defective cans.

Attorney Craig Smith, representing Reese, highlighted that the accidents involved various spray can models of multiple brands manufactured between 2011 and 2019. These cans used a venting system with a lower threshold for heat than previous versions. When the can becomes too hot, the vents on the bottom open, releasing the highly flammable contents into the air.

To determine if their cooking spray cans are vented, consumers can check whether the bottom of the can has four small U-shaped slits. Smith advised that larger spray cans, typically 10 oz. or more, are affected rather than the commonly-sold 6 oz. cans.

Reese's incident occurred when the cooking spray can was stored on a shelf approximately 18 inches above the stove. Attorney Peter Flowers explained that this is a common practice in commercial kitchens. Similar accidents have been reported across the country, with cans exploding on shelves near stoves or countertops.

In response to previous lawsuits in 2019, Conagra mentioned that the vent system was used on a limited number of cans and was eliminated during a product redesign that same year. The company clarified that the redesign was unrelated to the lawsuits and aimed to standardize the cans.

Conagra defends its products by stating that Pam and other cooking sprays have clear warning labels on the front and back, cautioning consumers about their flammability and advising against leaving them on or near a stove or heat source. The company also advises against storing cooking spray above 120 degrees or spraying it near an open flame.

Attorney Peter Flowers believes that this verdict is just the beginning of a serious problem for Conagra. With numerous pending cases, it remains to be seen how the company will respond and whether it will reconsider its position on issuing a product recall.