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FDA recalls contaminated eggs in Iowa

Each year about 40,000 cases of salmonella are reported to the CDC; an estimated 400 people die.
Each year about 40,000 cases of salmonella are reported to the CDC; an estimated 400 people die.
Photo credit: 
Center for Disease Control

Salmonella took me to the hospital with my 3 month old the winter of 1996.  She was pooping blood, screaming bloody murder, and had a fever of 104. (yes, 104!)  It was one of the most terrifying experiences I've ever had.  

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), children are the most likely to get salmonellosis. The rate of diagnosed infections in children less than five years old is about five times higher than the rate in all other persons.  -AR

This is the Food and Drug Administration's full release on the Egg Recall:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 13, 2010 - The following statement was released by officials of Wright County Egg regarding the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) on-farm records review and egg testing for Salmonella.

Wright County Egg of Galt, Iowa is voluntarily recalling specific Julian dates of shell eggs produced by their farms because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis or arthritis.

Eggs affected by this recall were distributed to food wholesalers, distribution centers and foodservice companies in California, Illinois, Missouri, Colorado, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. These companies distribute nationwide.  (Kansas City, Topeka, Lawrence, etc area check your eggs!)

Eggs are packaged under the following brand names: Lucerne, Albertson, Mountain Dairy, Ralph’s, Boomsma’s, Sunshine, Hillandale, Trafficanda, Farm Fresh, Shoreland, Lund, Dutch Farms and Kemps. Eggs are packed in varying sizes of cartons (6-egg cartons, dozen egg cartons, 18-egg cartons) with Julian dates ranging from 136 to 225 and plant numbers 1026, 1413 and 1946. Dates and codes can be found stamped on the end of the egg carton. The plant number begins with the letter P and then the number. The Julian date follows the plant number, for example: P-1946 223.

There have been confirmed Salmonella enteritidis illnesses relating to the shell eggs and traceback investigations are ongoing.

Wright County Egg is fully cooperating with FDA’s investigation by undertaking this voluntary recall. Our primary concern is keeping Salmonella out of the food supply and away from consumers. As a precautionary measure, Wright County Egg also has decided to divert its existing inventory of shell eggs to a breaker, where they will be pasteurized to kill any Salmonella bacteria present.

Consumers who believe they may have purchased these shell eggs should not eat them but should return them to the store where they were purchased for a full refund. This recall is of shell eggs only. Other egg products produced by Wright County Eggs are not affected. Consumers with questions should visit www.eggsafety.org.

Our farm strives to provide our customers with safe, high-quality eggs – that is our responsibility and our commitment.

Center for Disease Control

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, Topeka Backyard Poultry Examiner

Alison Reber was previously executive director of the Kaw Valley Heritage Alliance, a public/private partnership non-profit organization focused on natural and cultural conservation in the Kansas River watershed. She has worked on water resource issues for the last 15 years, advising and...

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