Egg recall increases to half a billion eggs

Several days after the Wright County Egg recall, Iowa's Hillandale Farms announced a voluntary nationwide recall of an additional 170.4 million eggs distributed under the Hillandale Farms, Sunny Farms, and Sunny Meadow brand names in six-egg cartons, dozen-egg cartons, 18-egg cartons, 30-egg packages, and five-dozen-egg cases. Loose eggs packaged under the Wholesome Farms and West Creek brands in 15- and 30-dozen tray packs are also included in the recall. The affected eggs have plant number P1860 imprinted on the label, with date codes ranging from 099 to 230, or plant number P1663 with date codes between 137 and 230.

On July 9, the FDA announced new safety rules for large-scale egg producers that is expected to reduce the number of Salmonella enteritidis infections from eggs by approximately 60 per cent. The new rules mandate refrigeration of stored and transported eggs, pasteurization, cleanliness, and rodent control, as well as a written Salmonella enteritidis prevention plan. Thoroughly cooking eggs kills any salmonella bacteria, but there cross-contamination risk kitchen utensils that come into contact with raw eggs are not properly cleaned. Undercooked eggs also leaves the consumer at risk of contracting a salmonella-related infection.

Salmonella, usually contracted from contaminated poultry, meat, eggs, or water, affects the intestinal tract. According to the CDC, symptoms including abdominal cramps, diarrhea and fever begin within 12 to 72 hours. Headache, chills, vomiting and muscle pain may also occur according to the Mayo Clinic. Symptoms can be expected to last between four and seven days in otherwise healthy people without further treatment. Antidiarrheal medications may alleviate cramps, but prolong the diarrhea. The elderly, infants, and people with weakened immune systems are at an increased risk of developing a more serious illness including life-threatening complications if the infection spreads beyond the intestines.

The original egg recall covered the Albertson, Lucerne, Mountain Dairy, Ralph's, Sunshine, Boomsma, Hillandale, Trafficanda, Farm Fresh, Shoreland, Lund, Dutch Farms and Kemps brands that were stamped with plant numbers 1026, 1413 and 1946 followed by a three-digit Julian date code ranging from 136 to 225. Wednesday's recall covered eggs branded as Albertsons, Farm Fresh, James Farms, Glenview, Mountain Dairy, Ralph's, Boomsma, Lund, Kemps and Pacific Coast and are stamped with plant numbers 1720 and 1942 and a three-digit Julian date code ranging from 136 to 229. Both recalls affect shell eggs packed in several different sized cartons, from a half-dozen to 18 eggs.

Consumers are encouraged to return the eggs in their original packaging to where they were purchased for a full refund. Visit the Egg Safety Center for additional information, or contact the Egg Safety Media Hotline at (404) 367-2761.