The number of salmonella-tainted eggs being added to a recall list in the U.S. keeps growing along with the number of cases of infection. The tainted eggs have been traced to two major egg producers in Iowa — Wright County Egg and Hillandale Farms.
The recall started when 380 million eggs were recalled Aug. 13, 2010. Later, another 228 million were recalled, then another 150 million, and another 170 million were subsequently taken off the market. Investigators continue to search for other potential sources of infected eggs.
The outbreak of salmonella has probably sickened 1,300 persons according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, USA Today reports. That number could easily grow as more cases are uncovered.
The major symptoms of salmonella are:
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Abdominal cramps
- Muscle pain
- Nausea
Others symptoms can include headache, fatigue, and tiny rose-colored spots. Infection usually develops with eight to 48 hours after eating the tainted eggs and the sickness can last from to two to five days in generally healthy people. In more serious cases the illness can last a week or two.
Who is at Risk of Salmonella?
Young children and people with compromised immune systems are especially at risk for more serious illness. Patients need to guard against dehydration and eating the “BRAT” diet may help — bananas, rice, applesauce and toast.
People are at higher risk of getting the infection if they have:
- Been in an institution
- Eaten improperly prepared or stored eggs
- Family members with recent salmonella infection
- Family members with recent intestinal sickness
- Have a weakened immune system
- Own a pet reptile (which are carriers of salmonella) such as an iguana or other lizard, turtle, or snake
“You have to treat eggs with the assumption that they’re contaminated with salmonella,” according to Carol Tucker Foreman, a food safety expert at the Consumer Federation of America.
Cooking eggs thoroughly will rid them of salmonella infection, but any eggs suspected of carrying the bacteria should be thrown away.
How Do I Know What Eggs Are Safe?
Eggs sold under the following brand names have been affected by the recall:
- Albertson
- Boomsma’s
- Dutch Farms
- Farm Fresh
- Hillandale
- Kemps
- Lucerne
- Lund
- Mountain Dairy
- Ralph’s
- Shoreland
- Sunshine
- Trafficanda
The states thus far identified as having the tainted eggs are:
- Arkansas
- California
- Iowa
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Wisconsin
Food safety experts say the source of the egg contamination could be rodents, contaminated hens or tainted feed.
If you have been sickened by eating salmonella-tainted eggs, you should consult a product liability lawyer who will help you obtain fair compensation for your injuries. For more information about a specific case, contact The Killino Firm today. Call us at (877) 875-2927 or send us an email and someone from our firm will be in contact with you shortly.
