By the author of Be Ready for Anything and the online course Bloom Where You’re Planted
Is the carton of eggs in your refrigerator part of the biggest egg recall since 2010? Rose Acre Farms has voluntarily recalled 206,749,248 eggs after 22 people became ill with salmonella after consuming their products. The eggs were delivered to grocery stores and restaurants (including Waffle House) in these states:
- Colorado
- Florida
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Virginia
- West Virginia
Eggs laid by hens at the Hyde County, North Carolina facility have all been recalled due to the possibility of contamination with Salmonella Braenderup. The FDA is currently investigating by inspecting the facility and interviewing those who have become ill.
The Mayo Clinic notes. “While an egg’s shell may seem to be a perfect barrier to contamination, some infected chickens produce eggs that contain salmonella before the shell is even formed.”
The horrific conditions at some factory farms can contribute to infected hens. In fact, the risk of salmonella with factory-farmed hens is 5 times higher than with organic, free-range chickens. (source)
It’s important to note that not everyone is in a situation where they can raise their own hens. But if you can’t, you can look for eggs from reputable farms, local markets, and opt for organic, free-range to avoid the likelihood of illness. If your budget is too tight for organic eggs, be sure to cook them thoroughly before eating them and don’t sample cookie dough or make homemade sauces with raw eggs.
What is salmonella?
For most, salmonella isn’t a deadly infection, but for those with compromised immune systems, the very young, or the elderly, it can be fatal. The Mayo Clinic says:
Salmonella infection (salmonellosis) is a common bacterial disease that affects the intestinal tract. Salmonella bacteria typically live in animal and human intestines and are shed through feces. Humans become infected most frequently through contaminated water or food.
Typically, people with salmonella infection have no symptoms. Others develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps within eight to 72 hours. Most healthy people recover within a few days without specific treatment.
Salmonella infection is usually caused by eating raw or undercooked meat, poultry, eggs or egg products. The incubation period ranges from several hours to two days. Most salmonella infections can be classified as stomach flu (gastroenteritis). Possible signs and symptoms include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal cramps
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
- Blood in the stool
Signs and symptoms of salmonella infection generally last two to seven days. Diarrhea may last up to 10 days, although it may take several months before bowels return to normal. (source)
Common foods that contain raw egg are cookie dough, homemade ice cream, eggnog, hollandaise sauce, and homemade mayonnaise.
These brands have been recalled.
Food Safety News has provided a list of the eggs that have been recalled:
| COUNTRY DAYBREAK A LARGE X 30 DOZEN | 077236000302 |
| COUNTRY DAYBREAK A LARGE X15 DOZEN | 077236000302 |
| COUNTRY DAYBREAK A JUMBO X24 DOZEN | 077236000500 |
| COUNTRY DAYBREAK A MEDIUM X30 DOZEN | 077236000203 |
| COUNTRY DAYBREAK A XLARGE X30 DOZEN | 077236000401 |
| COUNTRY DAYBREAK A JUMBO X12 DOZEN | 077236000500 |
| FOOD LION A JUMBO X 12 DOZEN | 035826089618 |
| FOOD LION A MEDIUM X15 DOZEN | 035826089649 |
| FOOD LION A XLARGE X 15 DOZEN | 035826089625 |
| FOOD LION A 18PK LARGE X15 DOZEN | 035826089601 |
| FOOD LION A LARGE X15 DOZEN | 035826089588 |
| FOOD LION A 6PK LARGE X 15 DOZEN | 035826089632 |
| LOOSE A USDA SMALL X 30 DOZEN | N/A |
| LOOSE A USDA MEDIUM X 30 DOZEN | N/A |
| LOOSE A XLARGE X15 DOZEN | N/A |
| LOOSE A XLARGE X30 DOZEN | N/A |
| LOOSE A MEDIUM X 15 DOZEN | N/A |
| LOOSE A MEDIUM X30 DOZEN | N/A |
| LOOSE USDA AA XLARGE X30 DOZEN | N/A |
| LOOSE USDA AA XLARGE X15 DOZEN | N/A |
| LOOSE USDA AA LARGE X30 DOZEN | N/A |
| LOOSE USDA AA LARGE X15 DOZEN | N/A |
| LOOSE USDA AA MEDIUM X30 DOZEN | N/A |
| LOOSE AA XLARGE X30 DOZEN | N/A |
| LOOSE USDA AA LARGE PFG X 30 DOZEN | N/A |
| LOOSE USDA AA LARGE PFG X 15 DOZEN | N/A |
| LOOSE USDA A XLARGE X30 DOZEN | N/A |
| NELMS A JUMBO X24 | 634181000018 |
| WAFFLE HOUSE LOOSE USDA A LARGE X 30 DOZEN | N/A |
| CRYSTAL FARMS A MEDIUM X30 | 077236000203 |
| CRYSTAL FARMS A 18PK MEDIUM X 30 | 077236000258 |
| CRYSTAL FARMS A 2.5 DOZ MEDIUM X 25 | 077236000124 |
| COUNTRY DAYBREAK A XLARGE X15 DOZEN | 077236000401 |
| COUNTRY DAYBREAK USDA GRADE A XLARGE X 240 DOZEN PULP | 077236700400 |
| COUNTRY DAYBREAK USDA GRADE A LARGE RACK X 240 DOZEN PULP | 077236700301 |
| COBURN FARMS A MEDIUM MP X 30 DOZEN | 051933182608 |
| COBURN FARMS A LARGE X 30 DOZEN | 051933190801 |
| COBURN FARMS A 18PK LARGE X 30 DOZEN | 051933182509 |
| SUNSHINE FARMS A JUMBO X 12 DOZEN | 804879457336 |
| GLENVIEW USDA AA LOOSE LARGE (6-2.5 FLATS) X 15 DOZEN | N/A |
| GLENVIEW USDA AA LOOSE LARGE (12-2.5 FLATS) X 30 DOZEN | N/A |
| GLENVIEW USDA AA LOOSE MEDIUM (6-2.5 FLATS) X 15 DOZEN | N/A |
| GLENVIEW USDA AA LOOSE XLARGE (6-2.5 FLATS) X 15 DOZEN | N/A |
| GLENVIEW USDA AA LOOSE MEDIUM (12-2.5 FLATS) X 30 DOZEN | N/A |
| GLENVIEW USDA AA LOOSE XLARGE (12-2.5 FLATS) X 30 DOZEN | N/A |
| GREAT VALUE GRADE A USDA 18PK XLARGE X 24 DOZEN RPC | 078742127132 |
| GREAT VALUE GRADE A USDA 12PK XLARGE X 24 DOZEN RPC | 078742127128 |
| GREAT VALUE GRADE A USDA TWIN 18PK LARGE X 24 DOZEN RPC | 078742127101 |
| GREAT VALUE GRADE A USDA 6PK LARGE X 15 DOZEN | 078742127095 |
| GREAT VALUE GRADE A USDA 12PK MEDIUM X 15 DOZEN | 078742127224 |
| GREAT VALUE GRADE A USDA 12PK LARGE X 24 DOZEN RPC | 078742127071 |
| GREAT VALUE GRADE A USDA 18PK LARGE X 24 DOZEN RPC | 078742127088 |
| GREAT VALUE GRADE A 12PK JUMBO X 22 DOZEN RPC | 078742127149 |
| GREAT VALUE GRADE A USDA 5DZ LARGE X 5 DOZEN | 078742127118 |
If you have these eggs, you can return them to where they were purchased for a full refund.
Another reason I am glad I have chickens. Salmonella is only a problem in uncooked eggs, but the recall will increase egg prices. There will be an egg shortage. Almost like the government is prepping people for food shortages. How long before another bird flu and another million birds (not tested) are killed? America washes its eggs thus removes the natural protective covering of the eggs. Then covers it with an oil to reseal it. Makes you wonder how the salmonella is getting in. I am glad I am not at the whim of the USDA. I don’t sell my eggs nor am I a registered farm. Texas is trying to register all farms. Under law, if you register then you contract with the state which makes you subject to them. Remember farm and food confiscation is on the books. There is a ruling from way back that says a common law profession cannot be licensed. That is why attorneys are not licensed. The BAR is a private membership not a license. For the record I am a retired army veterinary food inspector.
While Arizona isn’t on the list–and I get most of my eggs from my own chickens–I thank you for this public service announcement and, with your permission, will include it in my next Dying Time Newsletter.
Please do include it! Thanks for helping to spread the word.
Interesting, looking at all the names of the recalled brands. “XyZ Farms…” Yet, they all come from one facility in North Carolina. Guess the backchannel lesson here is not to be fooled by a name. “XyZ Farms” is just a middleman distributor, not a farm at all.
Glad I keep a small flock that provides more eggs than we can eat. This time of year, more to share with neighbors and friends. New batch of chicks just hatched. Keeping the flock youthful. 🙂
My theory is simple: Salmonella is not inside an egg unless it is put there! I truly believe that the reason we are seeing this is because the USDA requires commercially sold eggs to be Washed (and then requires refrigeration). My theory is that when the factories are washing these eggs of the poo (and as we know this removes the natural protective cuticle coating) The eggshell then becomes porous and the cleaning solution, now contaminated with poo… is then injected back into the unprotected egg. It is not rocket science…Just a federal agency screwing up things like normal.
Salmonella is on the shell and not the inside. Just wash it off before cracking open. What’s the problem here?
For hardboiled eggs, you’re going to boil it. Hello! Boiling water! Again, what’s the problem here?
Are egg white substitute in the cartoon (like milk) part of the recall? Also are organic free range eggs brown in color part of the recall? Thanks
Those aren’t listed in the recall. Check the list and then check the containers of eggs you have. 🙂 The numbers have to match up for them to be part of the recall.