Just when you hoped it would be safe to purchase brands of eggs not previously listed in recalls, yet another recall of eggs potentially contaminated with Salmonella has been announced by the FDA. This recall of shell eggs is by Hillandale Farms of Iowa and affects distribution to fourteen states under five brand names.
My article published last evening was a summary of four announcements from the FDA and all known information from that agency as of last evening.
[See: Recalls of Shell Eggs: Summary of Four FDA Announcements to Date]
This is today’s FDA announcement:
August 20, 2010:Hillandale Farms of Iowa is voluntarily recalling shell eggs because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
[Note: Health problems associated with Salmonella were listed in the above-linked article]
Eggs affected by this recall were distributed to grocery distribution centers, retail grocery stores and foodservice companies which service or are located in fourteen states, including the following: Arkansas, California, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin.
There have been laboratory-confirmed Salmonella enteritidis illnesses associated with the shell eggs; the investigation is ongoing.
Eggs are distributed under the following brand names: Hillandale Farms, Sunny Farms, and Sunny Meadow in 6-egg cartons, dozen-egg cartons, 18-egg cartons, 30-egg package, and 5-dozen cases. Loose eggs are packaged under the following brand names: Wholesome Farms and West Creek in 15 and 30-dozen tray packs. The loose eggs may also be repackaged by customers.
The only eggs affected by this recall have plant numbers P1860 or P1663 and Julian dates as follows:
• P1860 – Julian dates ranging from 099 to 230
• P1663 – Julian dates ranging from 137 to 230
Only eggs with these plant numbers are affected – even though the brand name may be the same.
Julian dates and plant codes can be found stamped on the end of the egg carton or printed on the case label. The plant number begins with the letter P and then the number. The Julian date follows the plant number, for example: P1860 230.
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. Consumers with questions should contact Hillandale Farms at (866) 262-4208.
I will be following this story and will update you accordingly if and when further announcements are forthcoming from the FDA should the problem spread to other brands and distribution areas.
Consumers with questions should visit www.eggsafety.org. The alert headline currently showing on the website states: “Voluntary Egg Recall Expanded: Less Than One Percent of All U.S. Eggs Affected.” That may not be a particularly encouraging statistic for consumers to think about!
Egg safety tips may be found at http://eggsafety.org/consumers/egg-safety. Tips include: choice of eggs at the store; storage of eggs in the kitchen; handling; cooking; at a party or picnic, and at a special occasion.
Source:
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm223452.htm
