Rose Acre Farms recalls more than 200 million eggs

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that Rose Acre Farms has recalled more than 200 million eggs because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

Rose Acre Farms officials said they initiated the recall after at least 22 people became sick on the East Coast. The illnesses were traced back to the Seymour, IN, company’s egg production farm in Hyde County, NC, which produces 2.3 million eggs a day from 3 million hens.

The FDA said in its statement that it is involved in an investigation that has included an inspection of the facility and interviews of the victims.

The potentially contaminated eggs from the Hyde County farm reached consumers in nine states: Colorado, Florida, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. The eggs were delivered to retail stores and restaurants.

The affected eggs come from plant number P-1065 with the Julian date range of 011 through date of 102 printed on the package. The brand names, with UPC codes, are as follows:

The FDA announced that Rose Acre Farms has recalled more than 200 million eggs because they might be contaminated with Salmonella. More than 22 illnesses have been reported on the East Coast.

Rose Acre Farms eggs:
Salmonella information

Salmonella bacteria are responsible for as many as 1 million foodborne illnesses in the U.S. yearly, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The bacteria produce an illness called salmonellosis, which affects the intestinal tract.

Salmonellosis can develop from 12 hours to three days after eating food contaminated with Salmonella. As with most types of food poisoning, symptoms – which usually last up to a week – can include:

• diarrhea
• abdominal pain and vomiting
• fever and chills.

Most people recover without treatment. Sometimes, however, diarrhea can become so severe that hospitalization is necessary.

The CDC estimates that of those 1 million annual cases, 19,000 will need hospitalization, and approximately 380 will end in death.

Salmonella complications
People most at risk for complications are children younger than 5, pregnant women, senior citizens, and people with weakened immune systems.

Complications can occur when the Salmonella bacteria enter the bloodstream. If that happens, complications can produce:

• meningitis: inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
• endocarditis: infection of the heart’s inner lining, usually involving the heart valves.
• osteomyelitis: bone inflammation that usually targets the legs, arms, or spine.
• reactive arthritis (also called Reiter’s syndrome): a form of inflammatory arthritis that develops in response to a Salmonella infection in another part of the body.

Pregnancies at risk
Pregnant women must be especially vigilant. They are at a higher risk for contracting salmonellosis because their immune systems are suppressed (hormonal changes). A pregnant woman who becomes ill from Salmonella can suffer a miscarriage, go into premature labor, or experience stillbirth.