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Eggs May be Linked to Salmonella Outbreak

By Dan Flynn and Suzanna Schreck

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.

Full post as published by Food Safety News on August 16, 2010 (boomark / email).