In a sweeping recall affecting egg lovers in multiple Western and Midwestern states, the August Egg Company has retracted 1.7 million dozens of their brown cage-free and certified organic eggs due to possible Salmonella contamination. As reported by the Associated Press, this recall comes in the wake of at least 79 people falling ill and 21 hospitalizations linked to these egg products.
The tainted eggs were distributed between February and May, and the urgency of the situation grew as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified that the strain of Salmonella connected to the eggs had a significant impact, though thankfully no deaths have been reported as per the CDC's advisory. Consumers in Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Washington, and Wyoming are advised to chuck the affected eggs, or return them to their store of purchase.
The FDA's announcement, outlined on their website, details the full breadth of the recall, which encompasses eggs sold by retailers including Save Mart, FoodMaxx, Lucky, Smart & Final, Safeway, Raleys, Food 4 Less, Ralphs, and Walmart. Not to be dealt with lightly, Salmonella can cause a slew of unpleasant symptoms, from fever and diarrhea to abdominal pain, and can be particularly dangerous for the very young, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
In light of this health risk, August Egg Company has taken a no-tolerance stance on the matter. "It is important to know that when our processing plant identified this concern, we immediately began diverting all eggs from the plant to an egg-breaking facility, which pasteurizes the eggs and kills any pathogens," a representative from the firm stressed in their statement. Additionally, surfaces that may have come in contact with recalled eggs should be thoroughly cleaned with hot, soapy water or in a dishwasher, to prevent any further spread. If you're exhibiting symptoms of a severe Salmonella infection – think high fever, bloody diarrhea, or signs of dehydration – it's time to call up your healthcare provider.
As Salmonella can lay people out for a solid week with its nasty side effects, public health officials are taking no chances with this outbreak. For more detailed info on the affected brands and product codes, visit the regulatory agencies' respective websites, and exercise caution if you've recently stocked up on eggs fitting the description of those recalled. A full refund can be sought from where the eggs were purchased, and further questions directed at August Egg Company can be made through their customer service at 1-800-710-2554, available from 9am to 5pm PT.
