A number of supermarkets in France have recalled eggs sold under different brand names due to possible Salmonella contamination.

According to the French magazine 60 Millions de Consommateurs the recall covers more than 500,000 eggs but there have been no official communications from authorities and no reported illnesses.

Carrefour has issued three recalls. The first involved the company Arradoy and the other two the firm Matines.

The Arradoy recall was for packages of 20 large standard eggs with dates on the boxes of April 27 to May 18. The implicated eggs are marked with lot number 3FRMDB678 and lot 06 on the box.

The Matines recalls involve packs of 10 and 30 medium sized shell eggs with recommended use-by dates from April 26 to May 14. The code on the eggs is 3FRMDB08 and FR 32 066 020 is on the boxes.

All the affected egg lots have been removed from sale but some of them were marketed before the withdrawal measure, according to the Carrefour recall notice.

Another retailer, Systeme U, also made three egg recalls from Matines. Boxes of six, 10 and 12 with the same code on the eggs and dates as listed above from Carrefour are affected. The recall notice advised consumers who have eggs with the code 3FRMDB08 stamped on the shell to not consume them and to either destroy them or get a refund.

The supermarket, Auchan, issued one recall for shell eggs from Matines in boxes of six, 10 and 12 and trays of 20 with the same dates and codes as above.

Netto also recalled eggs of the same sizes and with the above dates and codes under the makes of Matines, Netto and with no branding for the same reason.

About Salmonella infections
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile, according to the CDC.

Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled eggs and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.

Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients require hospitalization.

Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop a severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.

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