Recall of Shell Eggs Expanded Following Salmonella Outbreak
On Wednesday, August 18th, an Iowa company expanded a recall on shell eggs from 228 million to 380 million after some facilities were linked to a salmonella outbreak that has made hundreds of people across the nation sick. The company, Wright County Egg Farm of Galt, Iowa, is one of the largest producers of eggs in the country.
Jack DeCoster, owner of the company, has apparently had previous altercations with regulators due to environmental violations, poor working conditions and issues with workers. One of DeCoster’s companies agreed to pay a $2 million fine imposed by OSHA in 1997 for workplace violations. The facilities have also been raided on occasion by immigration officials.
Dr. Christopher R. Braden who is acting director of food-borne diseases at the CDC in Atlanta, stated that the salmonella outbreak linked to tainted eggs began in May. At that time, several states experienced a rise in the number of illnesses related to the bacteria salmonella enteritidis, and since then the number of illnesses have continued to grow at the rate of about 200 per week, compared to an historical average of approximately 50 per week.
So far it has been determined that the contaminated shell eggs were distributed to Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, California, Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, Georgia, Texas, Wisconsin, Utah, Washington, Minnesota, Oklahoma and Missouri. Brands included under this recall include Albertson, Lucerne, Mountain Dairy, Ralph’s, Dutch Farms, Kemp, Farm Fresh, Boomsma’s, Sunshine, Hillandale, Trafficanda, Shoreland and Lund.
Minnesota has linked at least seven salmonella illnesses thus far to the eggs; the state has some of the best investigators in the country regarding food-borne illness. California, Minnesota and Colorado investigations performed by public health officials traced reported illnesses to the Wright County eggs. Hundreds of people have become ill over past weeks, and it is believed that only about 1 out of every 30 cases of food poisoning are reported.
Consumers who have purchased the eggs or may have them in their refrigerators are urged to throw the eggs away or return them to the place of purchase.
Salmonella food poisoning produces stomach-flu like symptoms that include diarrhea, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Young children, the frail or elderly and those with weakened immune systems are at increased risk of developing serious and even fatal complications, and should seek medical attention at once if symptoms develop.
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