The Salmonella egg recall of Wright County Egg of Galt Iowa has added Hillandale Farms as another contaminated egg producer in Iowa and now contaminated eggs are in Georgia, including possible locations in the Atlanta area. The total of states involved and reported by the FDA has reached over a dozen state distributors and may expand into even more states.
Why are there so many Salmonella eggs and states?
There are only a few major chicken and egg producers in the United States and these producers and companies control a majority of the businesses across state lines. Thus, several big companies and associated distributors can affect major portions of the entire egg and chicken market.
Why are so many eggs contaminated? Poor inspection and quality standards at the plants and insufficient monitoring and penalties by the U.S. Federal government have led to this crisis.
What is happening now and what can we expect?
Suspect egg lots will continue to be removed from the stores and warehouses. Inspections will be increased. And some plants and farms may be shut down until the violations are corrected and the farms and processing plants are declared within acceptable industry standards
The number of Salmonella-infected victims of this broad epidemic is at least several hundred. And, it is expected that when the investigation is complete, there will a few thousand people who were made ill and some who will have died possibly because of these Salmonella-infected with eggs.
Egg brands and lot numbers involved
The FDA has issued these lots and names for consumers to avoid. Purchased contaminated lots may be returned to the store for a full refund.
"Eggs affected by this latest recall are distributed under the following brand names: Hillandale Farms, Sunny Farms, and Sunny Meadow in 6-egg cartons, dozen-egg cartons, 18-egg cartons, 30-egg package, and 5-dozen cases. Loose eggs are packaged under the following brand names: Wholesome Farms and West Creek in 15 and 30-dozen tray packs. The loose eggs may also be repackaged by customers.
Eggs involved in this related recall are only eggs with the following plant numbers:
P1860 - Julian (production) numbers ranging from 099 to 230
P1663 - Julian (production) numbers ranging from 137 to 230
FDA continues to have on-site investigators at Hillandale Farms of Iowa, Inc. and Wright County Egg in Iowa."
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA
Can this egg problem be avoided in the future?
Yes, if farm and factory standards of poorly-run, non-compliant are improved and maintained there can and will be safer eggs for all. Remember that safe handling of raw eggs and egg products by consumers is always important. A new and safer egg processing includes pasteurization processing of eggs. Pasteurization kills all potentially-pathogenic bacteria like Salmonella and related and similar species of these enteric bacteria.
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