Voluntary Eggs Recall by Cal-Maine Foods Possibly Contaminated by Salmonella

The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) notified Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. about their eggs testing positive in a routine study sample for Salmonella Enteritidis (SE). Ohio Fresh Eggs, LLC is one of Cal-Maine Foods’ suppliers. The routine sample test (environmental study) was done on the eggs from this supplier. Ohio Fresh Eggs supplied around 24,000 dozen eggs (unprocessed) to Cal-Maine, who then processed and repacked them at their facility in Arkansas in October 2010. The notification regarding SE presence went to the company only in the second week of November.

The eggs in question were sent along the distribution chain to wholesalers and retailers in several states, Arkansas, California, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. Cal-Maine immediately sent a notification to all the customers recalling the specific batches of eggs, not produced from their own flock, but supplied from Ohio Fresh Eggs.

No casualties were reported so far in relation to SE illnesses stemming from the eggs purchased. However, the potential contamination risk necessitated the voluntary recall of the eggs by Cal-Maine.

Salmonella poisoning

Salmonella causes serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, elderly or weak people, and those with weakened immune systems. The most common symptoms of salmonella are diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever within eight hours to 72 hours of eating a contaminated product. It can be life threatening, especially to those with weakened immune systems.

Previous recalls

Earlier, in August 2010, Cal-Main recalled about 800,000 dozen eggs nationwide. The reason for this recall was the threat of salmonella. The producer of these eggs was from Iowa, who notified the company on discovery of the same.

Cal-Maine said it was notified by an Iowa egg producer that between April 9 and Aug. 19, the producer sold 32 truckloads of eggs, or about 800,000 dozen eggs, to the company. The affected products were added Friday to the expanded nationwide recall related to almost 2,000 illnesses from the strain of salmonella reported between May and July, almost 1,300 more than usual.

Other recalls

A spate of recalls from the market trigger concerns in consumers.

Certain romaine lettuce products were voluntarily recalled by Freshway Foods of Sidney, Ohio. The reason: possible connection to an outbreak of food borne disease.

Orval Kent announced a voluntary recall of 23 products. The reason: precautionary measure due to possible contamination from Salmonella.

Federal Register Final Rule (July 9, 2009, 74 FR 33030): Prevention of Salmonella Enteritidis in Shell Eggs during Production, Storage, and Transportation

The final rule by the FDA effective September 8, 2009, requires that shell egg producers put into practice safety measures to prevent contamination of eggs from Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) on the farm and from spreading/growing while transporting and storing the same. Egg producers are required to register with the FDA and maintain records regarding their compliance with the standards.