An Arkansas egg producer is recalling 12- and 18-lot cartons of free-range large brown eggs after federal health inspectors detected salmonella contamination at a processing site.
Black Sheep Egg Company of Walnut Ridge, AR, has recalled products and informed its direct customers of the recall of eggs with expiration dates between August 22 and October 31. The company also distributed eggs to other companies in Arkansas and Missouri between July 9 and September 17. Two UPC codes are affected: 860010568507 and 860010568538.
The move came after U.S. Food and Drug Administration inspectors collected samples at the processing site and found 40 positive for salmonella bacteria. Seven different strains of salmonella have been identified, some of which are known to cause illness in humans. None of these strains have been linked to an ongoing outbreak to date, FDA officials said.
Consumers, restaurants and retail stores should not eat, serve or sell Grade A free-range black sheep eggs in 12- or 18-count cartons with the applicable expiration dates printed on the side, the FDA said in a safety alert. Throw them away or return them to the place of purchase.
About Salmonella Infections
Foods contaminated with Salmonella bacteria generally do not look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can get a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of severe illness because their immune systems are fragile, according to the CDC.
Anyone who has eaten one of the recalled eggs and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctor about their possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria, because special tests are needed to diagnose salmonellosis. Symptoms of a Salmonella infection can mimic other illnesses, often leading to misdiagnosis.
Symptoms of Salmonella infection may include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults typically stay sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea can be so severe that patients need to be hospitalized.
Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop serious illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.
Some people become infected without getting sick or showing symptoms. However, they can still transmit the infection to others.
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