Egg Recall Expands, Second Egg Producer Recalls Eggs

Eggs, they're not what's for breakfast right now. The large egg recall announced earlier in the week as been expanded and now includes a second producer. More than 1,000 people are believed to have been sickened by salmonella tainted eggs. After testing confirmed illness were associated with their eggs, Iowa's Hillandale Farms said August 20 that it would join the recall.

According to the Associated Press, Hillandale Farms has not said how many eggs it will place under recall, nor if it is connected in any way with the producer of the eggs originally recalled, Wright County Egg. However, a spokeswoman for the FDA has said the two recalls are related. The strain of salmonella poisoning from the Hillandale eggs is the same strain linked to Wright County's.

The eggs under recall now include any distributed under the brand names Hillandale Farms, Sunny Farms, Sunny Meadow, Wholesome Farms and West Creek. The new recall applies to eggs sold between April and August. The company says the eggs were distributed to grocery distribution centers, retail groceries and food service companies which supply to or are located in the following states: Arkansas, California, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin.

The AP reports almost 2,000 illnesses from the strain of salmonella linked to both sets of recalled eggs were reported between May and July, almost 1,300 more than usual. Fortunately, no deaths have been reported. The symptoms of salmonella poisoning include diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever within eight hours to 72 hours of eating contaminated food. It can be life-threatening, especially to those with weakened immune systems.

Thoroughly cooking eggs can kill the bacteria. However, health officials are recommending cosumers throw away or return the recalled eggs.

Related Resources:

• Egg Recall: Potential Salmonella Contamination Announced (FindLaw's Common Law)
• Avoid Salmonella from Eggs: 4 Steps to Take Now (U.S. News and World Report)
• Types of Food Poisoning: Salmonella (FindLaw)
• Injuries from Defective Products (provided by Law Offices of Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C.)
• Products Liability FAQ (provided by Shamberg, Johnson & Bergman)