If you’ve been reading the news recently, you may have heard about the recent slew of food recalls related to food-borne illnesses. One of the more severe cases which has been ongoing for about a month is an E. coli outbreak linked to romaine lettuce which has since spread to 29 states throughout the country. Still, another story that some may have missed is one related to eggs. As recently as April 13th, the CDC announced a recall of more than 200 eggs originating from Rose Acre Farms.
Although there’s been a response to stop the spread of these illnesses, the CDC released another update that things have gotten worse.
As of May 14th, the outbreak has infected 35 people in nine different states including New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and Colorado. Of all these locations, New York and Virginia have had the most cases. On their site, the CDC explained the situation in more detail:
“On April 13, 2018, Rose Acre Farms of Seymour, Indiana, voluntarily recalled 206,749,248 shell eggs because they could be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. On April 16, 2018, Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. voluntarily recalled 23,400 dozen eggs purchased from Rose Acre Farms.
Recalled eggs were sold in grocery stores and to restaurants under multiple brand names, including Coburn Farms, Country Daybreak, Crystal Farms, Food Lion, Glenview, Great Value, Nelms, Publix, Sunshine Farms, and Sunups. Check for egg cartons with for the following numbers: plant number P-1065 (the plant number) and another set of numbers a Julian date between 011 and 102 (the Julian date), or, for Publix and Sunups egg cartons, plant number P-1359D and Julian date 048A or 049A with Best By dates of APR 02 and APR 03.”
The bacteria in question is Salmonella Braenderup, a rare strain which can cause serious problems for those who consume it.
Generally speaking, those who are exposed to it may experience diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramps that can last for between four to seven days. Anyone infected is likely to experience these symptoms between 12 and 72 hours after ingesting a contaminated food source. Although people with a healthy immune system can often recover relatively quickly, it poses a more serious threat to younger and older people.
Though nobody has died as a result of this outbreak, it’s estimated that around 400 people die from Salmonella-related illnesses in the US each year.
Anyone who thinks they may have come in contact with these eggs or is experiencing symptoms should get medical help right away.
Of all the cases reported so far, 11 people have been hospitalized as a result of these illnesses. Because the reported cases seem to still be spreading, all consumers are advised to remain alert and to avoid buying eggs from these sources for the time being (or from consuming eggs from these sources that they may already have at home). As always, be sure to pay attention to the food you and your family are purchasing. If you have doubts about your eggs, don’t eat them!
Be sure to spread this information to your friends and family and stay tuned to our page and to the CDC’s website for more updates as they come.
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