228m Eggs being recalled, salmonella cited

Raw cookie dough consumers throughout the US are in a bit of a panic this week as a recall of 228m eggs is underway.

The CDC and FDA are in the midst of a “multi-state investigation” regarding the recall as the hundreds of millions of eggs sold under 13 brands in several states has caused widespread concern amongst consumers. At least 266 Californians have fallen ill from the salmonella contamination, and investigators have noticed a four-fold increase in cases of the food-borne illness since June.

Affected eggs were sold under the following brand names:

Lucerne, Albertson, Mountain Dairy, Ralph’s, Boomsma’s, Sunshine, Hillandale, Trafficanda, Farm Fresh, Shoreland, Lund, Dutch Farms and Kemps. The eggs are packed in cartons of various sizes, including 6-egg cartons, dozen-egg cartons and 18-egg cartons.

Consumers can identify possibly contaminated eggs by checking the packaging.

They feature Julian dates ranging from 136 to 225 and plant numbers 1026, 1413 and 1946. Dates and codes can be found stamped on the end of the egg carton. The plant number begins with the letter P and then the number. The date follows the plant number. For example: P-1946 223.

Symptoms of salmonella poisoning set in between 12 and 72 hours of consuming affected products, and can last up to a week. The illness can be serious, especially in immunocompromised individuals. Consumers are advised to not consume the eggs and to return them to stores.