Eggs get salmonella causing a recall that never ends, while Congress is now interested

The egg recall list expanded Friday with another Iowa egg producer joining the list. The half billion eggs are being recalled because, the Food and Drug Administration reports, in 10 states, there are 1,000 people reported to get sick from them. An investigation was launched by Congress because of the outbreak of salmonella. New federal egg safety rules giving the FDA authority to inspect egg producers were enacted July 9. FDA officials said if the new food safety rules had been in effect the salmonella outbreak could have been prevented.

Egg producer expected for this

Wright County Egg recalled 380 million eggs, says the FDA, when the largest egg recall ever recorded began last week. Quality Egg was shown by the FDA to have salmonella troubles also which is why Hillendale Farms ended up recalling one more 180 million eggs. Monday was the day the House Energy and Commerce Committee asked for documents from the company. CNN reported this. Wright County Egg and Quality Egg are owned by the same person. The Midwest and Northeast DeCoster agribusiness empire owns them both. DeCoster companies have a history of questionable practices. In June, Jack DeCoster admitted to 10 civil counts of animal cruelty in Maine. DeCoster paid $ 3.6 million in a fine in 1996 because he allegedly had minors working on a Maine chicken farm in a sweatshop. In 2000, Iowa's attorney general named DeCoster a "habitual violator" of state environmental laws following discharges of manure from hog-farming operations.

New federal egg safety rules

Until July 9, inspection of egg producers was the sole responsibility of the USDA. Between May and July, there are 3 times more than normal reports of salmonella, which is about 2,000, reports the Center for Disease control. The Wall Street Journal reports the new change. Now the FDA and USDA share responsibility for inspecting. Farms now have to test eggs and facilities for salmonella along with guarding feed and water from contamination and chicks and hens have to be bought from those who monitor salmonella. One year of leeway is given to farms right now.

Get your salmonella

Consumers are advised to throw away or take back any eggs in the recall. You will find certain packing dates and location codes to help you know if your eggs are bad. Almost always there is worry about salmonella when eating a raw egg. The Los Angeles Times was told this by a salmonella expert. Salmonella isn't something you are able to taste, smell or see. Many are getting salmonella poisoning from the way they cook their eggs. Generally it is contracted with hollandaise sauce or by eating sunny side up eggs. Fully cooking eggs will kill any salmonella bacteria. The yolk needs to be cooked all the way. You will be fine if the egg is pasteurized. You may as well take the eggs back and get your money back for those who have eggs on the recall list.

More on this topic

CNN

cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/08/23/eggs.salmonella/index.html?npt=NP1

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704504204575445981962961848.html

Los Angeles Times

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