Some Eggcellent Advice from the CDC Regarding the 2010 Salmonella Outbreak
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CDC is collaborating with public health officials in multiple states, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service to investigate a nationwide increase of Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) infections.
Between May 1 to August 25, 2010, approximately 1,470 reported illnesses were likely to be associated with this outbreak. FDA testing, identified Salmonella in egg farm environmental samples. Epidemiologic investigations conducted by public health officials in 10 states since April, have identified 26 restaurants or event clusters where more than one ill person with the outbreak strain. Data from the investigations suggest that shell eggs are a likely source of infections in many of these restaurants or event clusters. Preliminary information indicates that Wright County Egg, in Galt, Iowa was an egg supplier in 15 of these 26 restaurants or event clusters. To date, no new restaurant or event clusters have been reported to CDC. A formal traceback was conducted by state partners in California, Colorado, and Minnesota, in collaboration with FDA and CDC, to find a common source of shell eggs. Wright County Egg in Iowa was found as the common source of the shell eggs associated with three of the clusters. Through additional traceback and FDA investigational findings, Hillandale Farms of Iowa, Inc. was identified as another potential source of contaminated shell eggs contributing to this outbreak.
Advice to Consumers
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are warning consumers not to eat recalled eggs. It is important that consumers avoid eating recalled eggs. Some recalled eggs may possibly still be in grocery stores, restaurants and consumers’ homes. If you
