Foodborne Illness Outbreaks

Eggs May be Linked to Salmonella Outbreak

On-farm egg testing and a records review for Salmonella by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has led to a multistate egg recall by Wright County Egg based in Galt, IA.

The recall may be associated with a Salmonella outbreak that is the subject of an ongoing trace back investigation by FDA.

In a statement going into the weekend, the Iowa company said it was recalling specific Julian dates of shell eggs produced by its farms for possible Salmonella contamination.

Eggs affected by the 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.

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. 

The recalled 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 trace back investigations are ongoing.

In its statement, Wright County Egg said it 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," the statement said.

"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."

Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections.  Symptoms include: fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. 

Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis or reactive arthritis.

More Headlines from Foodborne Illness Outbreaks »

Discuss

Alice Lingrosso
08/17/2010
10:27PM

I baked a cake using eggs from carton P1413 181. We have been eating the cake, but have not gotten sick yet. Is there anything we should do about our wellbeing? I plan on returning the remainder of the eggs to Albertsons. Thank you for your help, Alice Lingrosso

Jason
08/18/2010
7:52AM

No, You are fine. As long as they are thoroughly cooked, then the salmonella will be killed. The danger would be eating raw or runny-yolk eggs.

Kerry
08/18/2010
9:51AM

We bought a dozen eggs that came from West Union, IA (about 100 miles from Galt, IA) Carton is labeled 'Sunny Farms', packed for Hillandale Iowa LLP and marked P-1860 165. Although this is not 1 of the recall #'s, we have been ill for over 2 weeks with a number of the salmonella symptoms. Our concern is that other plants may be infected & the extent of this may health risk may not yet be discovered. What should we do?

Kira
08/18/2010
11:31AM

What if you do not have a plant number stamped on your carton at all? The Lucerne eggs I purchased have no plant number at all on the carton, only numerical number and Expiration date, not PACKING date.

Gloria
08/18/2010
11:46AM

I just got sunny farmers Eggs. r they ok & got them in bedford walmart.PLZ, let know ok((:

Suzanne Schreck
08/18/2010
12:09PM

Lucerne, Albertson, Mountain Dairy, Ralph's, Boomsma's, Sunshine, Hillandale, Trafficanda, Farm Fresh, Shoreland, Lund, Dutch Farms, and Kemps were included in the original recall and NuCal Foods eggs were later recalled. The FDA recall information can be found here: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm222501.htm

Brianne
08/18/2010
1:08PM

I don't have a plant numberor julian number. My eggs say
P190
AUG 23
and that's it... should I take them back?

Sharon Woodward
08/18/2010
4:17PM

I have eggs that have the Julian number 218. the plant number is 1893 different from the recalled ones. Are these safe too eat even tho the Julian number matches. These are Lucern purchased at a Pavilions.

shirley
08/18/2010
4:55PM

P-1951/220 Sep06/10 by Sparboe Farm from Target?

jodi
08/18/2010
5:20PM

I have lucerne eggs too, and while the julian date is right, the plant ID simply isn't there. I'm not getting my family sick over a couple of dollars. I'm throwing them out.

Linda
08/18/2010
8:42PM

I bought an 18 ct carton eggs from WalLMART mart exp date 9/6/10 distributed from TX name of egg co sunny meadows..code not as codes mentioned..Should I be concerned?

Brenda
08/19/2010
5:07AM

The egg recall with Julian dates range 136-225 & plant #'s
1026,1413,1946 ... sample looks like: P-1946-223.
Check your eggs ... can call the store also to see if they have already took care of the recall being the recall was 08/13/2010.
Cook them all the way if in doubt or throw them out.
Your call ... your health .... your money ... take part in your own life.

Germaine Hoschka
08/19/2010
9:58AM

I purchased eggs at Walmart labeled "Sunny Farms", packed for Hillandale Iowa LLP marked P-1860 220. I noted someone had puchased eggs with the same info and they have been ill for 2 weeks. What should I do?

Joce
08/19/2010
12:19PM

I purchased Lucerne eggs but there is no plant number on them. There is only the Julian number followed by "bwa7." We ate them this morning before finding out about the recall. How do we find out what plant they are from?

Sarah Flannery
08/19/2010
12:37PM

I purchased eggs from walmart labeled Sunny Meadow the code is 224 P-1065 B10 expiration date is Sept. 10 2010. I'm I ok to eat them? It's the 18 carton extra large grade A eggs.

Food Safety News
08/19/2010
1:41PM

The latest information on recalled products is provided by the FDA here: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm222501.htm

If you believe you or a family member may have a Salmonella infection, contact your local health department and your healthcare provider. More information about Salmonella infections is available at http://www.about-salmonella.com.

The CDC offers egg safety advice, which we have provided as a pdf here: http://www.foodsafetynews.com/cdc-egg-advice.pdf

blanca villarreal
08/19/2010
8:40PM

purchased sunny farms eggs p1207 224 are these included? it is showing that they were packed for: hillandale farms

Lisa
08/19/2010
11:19PM

I have a carton of eggs with Exp. Sept. 12-10. Number after that begins with a 2 then P-18272 20. Are these eggs on the recall list. I live in WV and they were purchased from Wal-Mart 1 week ago. The recall seems to address only the ones that begin with a P. Mine are Sunny Farms Jumbo.

Pete Cirincione
08/20/2010
7:29AM

I have Lucerne eggs, expiration date, Sep 8, and number 3P1776. Do I need to return them or can I use them? Thank you. Pete

Lauren W
08/20/2010
10:50AM

We bought our eggs from Albertsons, one of the infected brands, but when I went to check for the date and code stuff I couldnt find it. It's not stamped anywhere on my carton. So....what now? And shouldnt it be required to have that stamped??

suzan
08/20/2010
11:51AM

i bought eggs by the name sunny meadow p1411222 and expire date is 90810.are these eggs save to it are they part of the recall eggs?

Jean
08/21/2010
4:21AM

OMG I got Sunny Meadow 18 Pack eggs from Wal-mart. I see two differnt things on the carton. I see use by Sept 04 218 P-1065 B11 then as I look over the carton I see Oacked by Texas Licensee No. P- 1050. Cal- Maine Foods Inc. Wonder if my eggs are okay. Now Im afraid to even eat them. Hell I dont even want to go out for breakfast now. Never know what eggs I might get served. Its always somehting it seems.

Dean
08/21/2010
10:25AM

Pete we have the same exact Lucerne Eggs Sept 4 shows 218 and Plant 1776. This location shows ALL plants recalled go to this site: http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/WhatsNewinFood/ucm223536.htm

Scroll down to Lucerne I think we are OK but cook the heck out of them to be sure there will be an expansion of this recall you can bet your bottom dollar!

Linda
08/22/2010
4:16PM

I have Lucerne eggs with a 200 Julian date, which falls into the recall time frame but absolutely NO plant number. What should I do with them?

CHRISTINE
08/23/2010
9:51AM

I purchased eggs from Walmart that are Sunny meadow and it has the plant number of p-1088 and juliene date of 221 I was wondering if they are on the recall list

Coumay Novellist
08/24/2010
8:32AM

I've ingested Sunnymeadow eggs from walmart from January
through August of 2010. I noted that I didn't feel well - but did not attribute the xperience to the eggs. From time to time I noted that some of the egg whites were runny but did not know that I could be harmed. I experienced some side effects which were probably hampered by health practices, e.g., mega doses of vitamin C and other herbs. The eggs were purchased at a walmart in Tampa, Florida.

Tora
08/29/2010
8:33AM

I went through a bunch of lists and Googled differences in egg codes and because I wanted to be sure I just called the store. Von's in Southern California, suppliers of Lucerne eggs (on the recall list depending on code info), were not affected by the recall.

So when in doubt, just call the store where you purchased them from.

JJM
08/31/2010
9:06AM

With such a ridiculous recall, think about those that haven't gotten caught. That seems to be the motto of food companies. DONT GET CAUGHT. You cannot trust them at all. We continue to put poison into our bodies while listening to the FDA, an entity that has become notorious for being untrustworthy. I'll say it again. Grow your own food, or buy from a local trusted source. Else, you're screwed.


P.S. Thank you GW Bush for creating such a massive set of deregulations of companies right after Obama got elected. Even you are responsible long after leaving office.

Leave a comment

Remember personal info?