Synopsis

  • In the past month, Rose Acre Farms, an Indiana-based egg producer, has
    recalled more than 206 million eggs in the wake of a salmonella outbreak.
  • The eggs have sickened a total of 35 people in nine states, including a
    70-year-old diabetic Florida woman who is now seeking damages after contracting
    food poisoning from the contaminated eggs.
  • Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspectors have linked the outbreak
    to unclean conditions, rodents, unkept production equipment, and poor
    hygiene at Rose Acre Farm’s North Carolina facility.
  • Salmonella is a bacterial infection, most often found in food, that affects
    a person’s intestinal system. It is not contagious but can create
    serious health issues that could require long hospital stays, time off
    work, and in some cases death.

Indiana Egg Farm at Root of Multi-state Salmonella Outbreak

Rose Acre Farms is based in Indiana and has 17 facilities in eight states
throughout the Midwest and southern U.S. The farm is currently facing
a damaging recall of more than 200 million eggs that have been distributed
because of possible salmonella contamination. As of May 10, the
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have counted 35 people in nine states infected with the outbreak
strain of salmonella that was linked back to a Rose Acre Farms egg facility
in Hyde County, N.C. The Indy Star reports, “The Food and Drug Administration
inspection found a variety of unsanitary conditions at the facility, including
rodent activity in the hen houses and improper handling of eggs by employees.”

The CDC says eleven of the 35 known cases resulted in hospitalizations
but thankfully, no deaths have been reported. Because it can take two
to four weeks after a person is diagnosed for his or her case to be reported,
CDC health officials caution that additional cases may still be found.

What You Need to Know About the Recalled Eggs

Diarrhea, fever, and cramps that usually set in between 12 to 72 hours
after the person first comes in contact with salmonella, according to
the CDC. In most cases, the symptoms and illness can resolve on their
own in four days to a week, though in the most severe cases, the infection
may spread to blood stream and require antibiotics, and possibly even
a hospital stay in more extreme cases.

An elderly Florida woman recently took legal action against Rose Acre Farms
after contracting food poisoning from the contaminated eggs. The woman
says she experienced symptoms including vomiting, severe diarrhea, and
fever, until she could no longer have productive mobility or even get
herself out of bed. She was hospitalized twice for a total of seven days
and ultimately diagnosed with salmonella poisoning.

So far, cases have occurred in Colorado, Florida, New Jersey, New York,
North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Caroline, Virginia and West Virginia.
The eggs were sold under the brand names:

  • Coburn Farms
  • Country Daybreak
  • Crystal Farms
  • Glenview
  • Great Value
  • Publix
  • Sunshine Farms
  • Sunups

Eggs were also sold at Walmart and Food Lion stores and produced by Rose
Acre Farms’ Hyde County Farm in North Carolina. They are eggs with
the plant number P- 1065, with the Julian date range of 011 through 102
printed on either side of the carton or package. For Publix and Sunups
egg cartons, the plant number is P-1359D and the Julian date is 048A or
049A with best by dates of APR 02 and APR 03.

If you believe you have recalled eggs, do not eat them. Instead, thoroughly
wash and sanitize your fridge and countertops with bleach. CDC continues
to recommend consumers, restaurants, and retailers should not eat, serve,
or sell recalled eggs produced by Rose Acre Farms’ Hyde County farm.
Throw them away or return them for a refund.

In addition, when consuming eggs, remember they should be cooked until
both the yolk and white are firm. Scrambled eggs should not be runny.
Always, wash hands and items that came into contact with raw eggs, including
countertops, sinks, utensils, all dishes, and cutting boards, with soap
and water.

Learn More About Salmonella Outbreaks

Salmonella outbreaks are commonly associated with eggs, meat and poultry,
but these bacteria can also contaminate other foods such as fruits and
vegetables and unpasteurized milk or juice. To reduce your risk of coming
in contact with contaminated food,
foodsafety.gov offers these tips:

  • Avoid eating high-risk foods, including raw or lightly cooked eggs, undercooked
    ground beef or poultry, and unpasteurized milk
  • Keep food properly refrigerated before cooking.
  • Clean hands with soap and warm water before handling food. Clean surfaces
    before preparing food on them.
  • Separate cooked foods from ready-to-eat foods. Do not use utensils on cooked
    foods that were previously used on raw foods and do not place cooked foods
    on plates where raw foods once were unless it has been cleaned thoroughly.
  • Cook foods to a safe internal temperature. Use a meat thermometer to make
    sure foods are cooked to a safe temperature.
  • Chill foods promptly after serving and when transporting from one place
    to another.
  • Wash your hand after contact with animals, their food or treats, or their
    living environment.

If you believe you are at risk of a salmonella illness or food poisoning,
the CDC says drink plenty of fluids and get rest. If you cannot drink
enough fluids to prevent dehydration or if you have other health concerns
or symptoms are severe, call your doctor or 911. For some, diarrhea may
be so severe that hospitalization is required. As with many other diseases,
the young, elderly, and those with compromised immune systems have a higher
chance of falling ill.

You Don’t Have to Suffer from the Backlash of Food Related Illnesses

Salmonella can cause serious health ailments. There can be long hospital
stays, extended periods of time away from work and family, and it can
become difficult for family members to manage the health of their loved
one while worrying about finances. If you believe you fell ill because
of these recalled eggs, seek medical help and connect with the product
liability attorneys at Wagner Reese.

Contact us to schedule your free consultation by completing our
online form, and one of our attorneys will review your information and respond promptly.
If you wish to speak with us today, please call (888) 204-8440.