US: Major egg recall following salmonella outbreak

Outbreak traced to 2nd largest US egg producer

The outbreak was traced to a farm in North Carolina owned by Rose Acre Farms of Seymour, Indiana, which is said to be the second largest egg producer in the US.

Eggs from the farm had already been distributed in 9 states namely:

1. Colorado
2. Florida
3. New Jersey
4. New York
5. North Carolina
6. Pennsylvania
7. South Carolina
8. Virginia
9. West Virginia

Likely connected to 22 salmonella infections

The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also said the eggs from the infected farm were likely connected to 22 reported cases of salmonella infections.

Investigations led to farm in North Carolina

Investigators from the agency knew about the outbreak last month in numerous states and worked hard to trace the source with the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and state authorities.

Those investigations led to the egg farm in Hyde County, North Carolina, owned by Rose Acre Farms of Seymour, Indiana.

The affected farm has stopped its egg distribution and the company has voluntarily recalled more than 206 million eggs.

Consumers to check eggs

The FDA urged consumers to check their purchases and avoid eating eggs that might be contaminated.

Eggs from the North Carolina farm were sold to restaurants and in supermarkets under multiple brand names, including Coburn Farms, Country Daybreak, Food Lion, Glenview, Great Value, Nelms and Sunshine Farms.

The FDA said

“Through an abundance of caution Rose Acre Farms of Seymour, Indiana is voluntarily recalling 206,749,248 eggs because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella Braenderup, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

“Healthy individuals infected with Salmonella Braenderup can experience fever, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella Braenderup can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis.

“The eggs were distributed from the farm in Hyde County, North Carolina and reached consumers in the following states: Colorado, Florida, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia through retail stores and restaurants via direct delivery.

“22 illnesses have been reported to date. The egg cartons affected by the recall should be labelled with the plant number P-1065, with packing dates ranging from 011 through 102.”

The farm said:

The farm belonging to Rose Acre Farms has around 3 million egg-laying hens, produces about 2.3 million eggs a day and has a United States Department of Agriculture inspector on-site daily, the company said in a statement.

The farm said: “The Hyde County farm has never before experienced a recall or serious safety violation,” it said, adding that the recall “was conducted in full cooperation with the FDA.”