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Cal-Maine Foods recalls more than a quarter million eggs amid salmonella scare
by Neka Sehgal - November 10, 2010 - comments
As a precautionary measure Cal-Maine Foods Inc., is urging consumers not to eat the recalled eggs and immediately get in touch with the store they purchased them for a refund.
Close on the heels of the giant egg recall after thousands were sickened in summer comes another recall, bringing to light the need for additional food safety measures.
Mississippi-based Cal-Maine Foods, the nation's largest egg producer, initially recalled 288,000 eggs on Friday and then added another 120 dozen batches to the already-recalled lot on Tuesday, amid concerns of a salmonella contamination.
The two batches of contaminated eggs were purchased from Ohio Fresh Eggs in Croton, the farm behind the massive recall earlier this year.
The recall was initiated after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notified Cal-Maine Friday, of salmonella detection in a routine environmental sample test at the Ohio facility from where the eggs originated.
Cal-Maine had purchased 24,000 dozen unprocessed eggs from Ohio Fresh Eggs that were processed and repackaged under the brands Sunny Meadow, Springfield Grocer, Sun Valley, and James Farm in its Green Forest, Ark., plant from Oct. 9 to Oct. 12.
Eggs subject to the recall
Though Cal-Maine also raises their own chickens for eggs, only those bought from Ohio Fresh Eggs are subject to the recall.
Cal-Maine had purchased 24,000 dozen unprocessed eggs from Ohio Fresh Eggs that were processed and repackaged under the brands Sunny Meadow, Springfield Grocer, Sun Valley, and James Farm in its Green Forest, Ark., plant from Oct. 9 to Oct. 12.
The tainted eggs have been shipped and distributed to both retail grocery stores and wholesalers in eight states including Arkansas, California, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas.
The contaminated eggs come under the Pippin Loose Medium brand, with a 1457 plant number, and a Julian Date of 282, 284 and 285. The sell-by expiration date is Nov. 7.
Recall a precautionary measure
Unlike the summer outbreak, no confirmed illnesses have been tied to the current recall.
But as a precautionary measure, Cal-Maine Foods Inc. is urging consumers not to eat the recalled eggs and immediately get in touch with the store they purchased them from for a refund.
In case of further queries about this recall, consumers can call Cal-Maine’s corporate office at 1-866-276-6299 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CDT.
A little about salmonellosis
Salmonellosis is an acute bacterial infection that attacks the intestines and can cause diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. The symptoms usually occur within 12-72 hours after consuming tainted food.
The illness lasts for a period of four to seven days and most people recover without medical intervention.
However, in severe cases, the infection can spread from the intestines to the blood stream, sometimes leading to hospitalization and death.
Infants, with a vulnerable immune system are more likely to develop complications. Typical treatment involves replacing fluids and electrolytes lost to diarrhea. Tougher cases may require antibiotics. In either case, visit to the doctor is advised.