Good Earth Egg Recall Issued Due to Salmonella Food Poisoning Risk
In response to a recent outbreak of salmonella food poisoning, a recall has been issued for shell eggs that may be contaminated.
The FDA announced a Good Earth Egg recall on October 3, after epidemiologic, laboratory and traceback investigations determined that the shell eggs may be the cause of a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Oranienburg that has sickened at least eight people in three states.
Federal health officials are working with the manufacturer to identify the source of the contamination, to prevent further contamination, and to remove all potentially impacted products from distribution.
During interviews with six of the eight available patients impacted by the outbreak, all six reported eating or possibly eating shell eggs bought at grocery stores or in meals purchased in restaurants within the week before falling ill.
The FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were further notified by state and local health regulatory officials of illnesses stemming from a restaurant in Missouri, where three patrons reported eating eggs and becoming ill. The CDC confirmed Good Earth Egg Company is a shell egg supplier to the restaurant.
According to the CDC, reports of illness are likely to continue to rise, as many of the recalled eggs still remain in circulation and possibly in people’s refrigerators.
The recall affects various sizes of shell eggs packaged in 6-count cartons, 10-count cartons, 12-count cartons, 18-count cartons, 15 dozen cases, and 30 dozen cases. The recall includes all products prior to and including the date code “252” and “Sell By” date of October 8, 2016, displayed as “10/08/2016.
The recalled eggs were manufactured by Good Earth Egg Company, LLC of Bonne Terre, Missouri and distributed throughout the Midwest United States, including Missouri, Illinois and Kansas at the retail and wholesale level to institutions, restaurants, and to walk-in customers. The eggs were specifically sold at Dierbergs, Straubs, Midtowne Market and Price Chopper stores in the metropolitan St. Louis area.
Salmonella is a foodborne bacterium that attacks the gastrointestinal tract, causing mild to severe symptoms. For most healthy adults, problems associated with food poisoning from salmonella typically resolve after a few days or weeks. However, young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems have an increased risk of suffering severe food poisoning after ingesting the bacteria.
The CDC reports there are about 1.2 million Salmonella outbreaks each year, resulting in an estimated 450 deaths. If left untreated, Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections that can leave long term bowel and joint problems.
Good Egg Earth is currently reaching out to distributors and retailers to have the recalled products removed from distribution and from store shelves. Customers should not eat anything made with the recalled eggs or use the eggs themselves, and should immediately discard any remaining inventory. Good Earth Egg announced it will be working directly with customers to manage replacement products. Customer may also contact Good Earth Egg at goodeartheggco@hotmail.com.