Another Iowa egg producer joined a growing egg recall list Friday. A total of half a billion eggs are recalled after nationwide salmonella outbreak that has sickened about 1,000 people in 10 states, according to the Food and Drug Administration. An investigation was launched by Congress because of the outbreak of salmonella. The FDA was given permission to come up with federal egg safety rules that started on July 9. If the food safety rules were already complete, says the FDA, there wouldn’t are an outbreak of salmonella.
Egg producer has history of violations
Wright County Egg recalled 380 million eggs, says the FDA, when the largest egg recall ever recorded started last week. Quality Egg was shown by the FDA to have salmonella issues also which is why Hillendale Farms ended up recalling another 180 million eggs. According to CNN, the House Energy and Commerce Committee wanted documents from both of the companies on Monday. The DeCoster agribusiness empire within the Midwest and Northeast own both Wright County Egg and Quality Egg. DeCoster has always been shady. Many were concerned about the business and the way it was being run. In Maine, Jack DeCoster pleaded guilty in June to 10 civil counts of animal cruelty. In 1996, DeCoster paid a $ 3.6 million fine after being accused of running a sweatshop for minority workers at a Maine chicken farm. DeCoster was accused of dumping hog manure in 2000. This led Iowa’s attorney general to call DeCoster a “habitual violator” of state environmental laws.
Eggs get new safety rules
Until July 9, inspection of egg producers was the sole responsibility of the USDA. Between May and July, there have been three 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 protecting 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 egg hot with salmonella
Any eggs with certain packing dates and locations are being recalled meaning consumers should take back or throw out these eggs. The Los Angeles times reports that salmonella is always a concern when eating raw eggs. You won’t be able to easy find out if your egg has salmonella. It isn’t really detectable by taste, smell or looks. Many are getting salmonella poisoning from the way they cook their eggs. Typically it is contracted with hollandaise sauce or by eating sunny side up eggs. Cooking an egg all the way can really help. This will kill any bacteria from salmonella. The yolk needs to be cooked all the way. Pasteurized eggs are safe. But consumers with eggs on the recall list should stay away from any risk and get their money back.
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
mobile.latimes.com/wap/news/text.jsp?sid=294 and amp;nid=19361323 and amp;cid=17706 and amp;scid=1053 and amp;ith=1 and amp;title=Health
