Conagra Brands Ordered to Pay $7.1 Million to Burn Victim in First Verdict of Many Pending Cases Against Cooking Spray Explosions

Conagra faces over 50 pending burn cases from defective cooking spray cans, with the first verdict resulting in a $7.1 million payout, including $4 million for punitive damages.

Tammy Reese, a Pennsylvania woman, was awarded $7.1 million after a can of Conagra Brands' cooking spray exploded and caused her severe burns in 2017. The sum includes $4 million for punitive damages and $3.1 million in compensatory damages.
This is the first verdict of over 50 pending cases against Conagra Brands, including similar instances of cooking spray cans exploding, resulting in injuries.
The problematic cans, produced between 2011 and 2019, had a defective venting system that could expel highly flammable contents into the air and ignite if the can became too hot.
Despite discontinuing the manufacture of these cans in 2019, Conagra has not issued a product recall. Some of these cans may still be in circulation on store shelves or in homes.
Conagra Brands, which disagrees with the verdict and is considering appeal, insists its spraying products are safe when used correctly and that the product redesign that removed the venting system was not related to the lawsuits.

The Philadelphia Inquirer

CNA

NBC News

Fox Business

South China Morning Post