North Carolina Farm Recalls Over 206 Million Eggs for Suspected Salmonella

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that the bacterium salmonella causes about 1.2 million illnesses; 23,000 hospitalizations; and 45 deaths in the U.S. every year. Food is the source for about one million of the illnesses.

The symptoms are not fun. They include abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and fever that can last for four to seven days, though in some cases they can become severe enough to result in hospitalization.

Now, people in nine states across the country need to be on the lookout for symptoms like these.

According to a recent FDA announcement, a North Carolina farm has voluntarily recalled over 206,000,000 eggs because they may be contaminated with Salmonella Braenderup. This type of bacteria may cause serious and sometimes dangerous infections in vulnerable populations, including young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.

FDA Traces Illnesses to the Source at the Hyde County Farm

The announcement came on April 13, 2018, and involves the Rose Acre Farms of Seymour, Indiana. They initiated the recall after receiving reports of illnesses on the U.S. East Coast.

Following these reports, the FDA conducted an investigation and found that all of the people who became ill ate eggs or egg dishes. They were then able to trace the source to some of the eggs produced at the Rose Acre Farms’ Hyde County farm.

The FDA conducted a thorough investigation of the farm and collected samples for testing. An analysis of those samples revealed that the same strain of bacteria that caused the illnesses was present in the samples. That led the administration to tie the farm to the outbreak. They then shared their findings with the company, which then voluntarily recalled all eggs produced at the farm.

The eggs were distributed to nine states, including the following:

• Colorado
• Florida
• New Jersey
• New York
• North Carolina
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• Virginia
• West Virginia

In addition to being sold to restaurants, the eggs were also sold in supermarkets under the following brand names, among others:

• Coburn Farms
• Country Daybreak
• Food Lion
• Glenview
• Great Value
• Nelms
• Sunshine Farms

At the time of this writing, there were 23 reports of illnesses, six of which resulted in hospitalizations. The FDA encourages consumers to check their purchases and look for cartons labeled with the plant number “P-1065,” with packing dates ranging from 011 through 102. The numbers will be printed on the side of the carton or package.

If your carton is affected by the recall, do not eat any of the eggs. Return them immediately to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers can also call Rose Acre Farms at 855-215-5730 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. EST.

What to do if You Develop Food Poisoning

If you develop food poisoning as a result of these eggs or for another reason, don’t panic. For most healthy adults, it means a few days of discomfort, after which your immune system will eradicate the infection.

Symptoms may start on the same day that you eat the food, but they can also show up days later. Drink lots of water and rest and you should get better within a week or less. If you or a loved one notices the following symptoms, though, check with your doctor right away:

• Bloody vomit or stools
• Diarrhea lasting more than three days
• Inability to keep liquids down
• Extreme pain or cramping
• A fever over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit
• Blurry vision or muscle weakness

For more severe cases of salmonella, victims may want to consider legal actions to recover medical costs, lost wages, pain, and suffering.