Salmonella panic in the USA: FDA issues highest-level recall for eggs
The FDA has elevated the recall of 1.6 million egg cartons to the highest severity level due to salmonella contamination concerns. The products were pulled from shelves across several US states and major retail chains.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tightened the classification of the recall announced for 1.6 million cartons of eggs late last week due to concerns of salmonella contamination, raising it to the highest level of severity. On Wednesday, the FDA defined the event as a "Class 1 recall" — a classification the agency assigns to cases where there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to the product will cause serious health consequences or death.
The salmonella bacterium is highly contagious and multiplies in the intestines of humans and animals. For most people, it is a mild illness, but for populations at risk such as children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with sensitive immune systems, there is a risk of more severe illness, which in rare cases can end in death.
The eggs included in the recall were sold in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas, at Kroger and Brookshire Grocery chains. According to the FDA, they were also sold in other small stores. The agency noted that other products of the company are not included in the current recall.
The event follows another salmonella outbreak that began earlier this summer. Following that incident, Taylor Farms recalled various ready-made products containing jalapeño peppers sold in chains including Target, Trader Joe's, Walmart, and Whole Foods. Taylor Farms, based in California, stated that it recalled the products voluntarily after its pepper supplier, Coast Citrus Distributors, performed a recall for fresh jalapeños due to salmonella concerns.
In total, the recall concerns about 20 states across the United States. The company announced that it has stopped purchasing produce from a farmer in the state of Sinaloa, Mexico, who was identified as a possible source for the salmonella outbreak.
