Massive Egg Recall Due to Salmonella Contamination – A Texas Impact?
The United States has been recently hit with a flurry of food recall notices. Products recalled in the year 2018 include eggs, ham, and Romaine lettuce. The latest involves a multi-state salmonella outbreak linked to eggs supplied by Milo’s Poultry Farms, LLC. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in conjunction with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is working actively to address this serious health concern.
The outbreak has resulted in 65 confirmed cases across nine states, with illnesses reported from May 23 to Aug. 10. According to an FDA alert issued earlier this week, 24 people have been hospitalized due to the infection. No deaths have been reported but the ongoing inquiry by CDC and FDA signals a significant public health threat.
Egg Recall Details
The recall covers all carton sizes and expiration dates of eggs branded under Milo’s Poultry Farms and Tony’s Fresh Market. The CDC urges consumers who have purchased these eggs to either dispose of them or return them immediately to the store where they were bought. Additional precautions include cleaning all items or surfaces that came into contact with the eggs with hot, soapy water or dishwasher to avoid potential spread of the contagion.
Effect on Texas
The million-dollar question for the residents of Lone Star state is: “is Texas impacted by this recall?” Fortunately, the response is a resounding ‘no’ as of today. The key states witnessing the reported cases of salmonella linked to the egg recall include California, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin, with the worst-hit being Wisconsin reporting 42 cases.
Potential Symptoms and Severity of Salmonella
As per the CDC, salmonella symptoms include a triad of diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. These symptoms usually onset 6 hours to 6 days post-ingestion of the bacteria, and persist for about 4 to 7 days. While most people recover without treatment, certain individuals—particularly children under five years of age, adults above 65, and individuals with compromised immunity—might experience severe afflictions requiring medical attention or hospitalization.
Salmonella – A Brief Overview
Salmonella, or salmonellosis, is a bacterial infection that majorly affects the intestinal tract of beings. The bacterium primarily resides in the intestines of animals and humans and is shunted out through feces. In most instances, humans contract this infection through consumption of contaminated food or water.
Please continue to follow these public health advisories and practice safe food handling and consumption habits to protect yourself and your loved ones from such outbreaks. Stay safe!
