SUNNY-side up eggs are out as a major recall is underway after nearly 2 million cartons were found to be contaminated with a dangerous bacteria.
Consumers are being warned not to eat runny yolks or sunny side up eggs, which may not get hot enough to kill pathogens.
California-based August Egg Company has recalled 1.7 million brown cage-free and organic eggs across several states.
The FDA confirmed the eggs are linked to a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections.
So far, 79 people have fallen ill and 21 have been hospitalized.
The spread of the outbreak has reached at minimum nine states, such as Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, and Washington.
Officials fear the recalled eggs may still be in home refrigerators.
The affected eggs were sold between February 29 and May 17.
A total of 29 branded cartons are included in the recall, such as Raleys, Simple Truth, and Sun Harvest.
Other brands include Clover, First Street, Nulaid, O Organic, Marketside, and Sunnyside.
The eggs were sold in stores like Walmart, Save Mart, Safeway, Smart & Final, Food 4 Less, Ralphs, and FoodMaxx.
27 out of 30 patients that were interviewed had reported consuming them before falling ill.
An inspection of the company’s processing facility confirmed traces of Salmonella at the site.
The bacteria spread quickly through contaminated equipment.
Salmonella causes diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and fever.
Symptoms usually begin within six hours to six days after exposure.
August Egg Company statement
“The August Egg Company located in Hilmar, CA has chosen to recall 1,700,000 dozen shell eggs produced at our facility in California and distributed to multiple retail clients.
“This recall has been initiated due to possible Salmonella enteritidis contamination, which poses a health risk.
“Considering this, we have decided to initiate this recall as a precautionary measure, as it is possible that consumers may still possess these eggs at their residences.
“It is important to know that when our processing plant identified this concern, we immediately began diverting all eggs from the plant to an egg-breaking facility, which pasteurizes the eggs and kills any pathogens.
“August Egg Company’s internal food safety team also is conducting its own stringent review to identify what measures can be established to prevent this situation from recurring.
“We are committed to addressing this matter fully and to implementing all necessary corrective actions to ensure this does not happen again.”
Source: FDA
Children, older adults and those with weakened immune systems are most at risk.
Customers can find the Julian Date printed on the short side of each carton.
A Julian Date is used in grocery stores and food manufacturers to indicate the day on which bulk products are packaged.
Recalled eggs have a Julian Date between 32 and 126.
Sell-by dates range from March 4 through June 19, depending on the shipment.
Officials have advised consumers to toss the eggs or return them for a full refund.
Eggs can become contaminated internally or when bacteria on the shell has penetrated inside the egg.
Experts say cooking eggs thoroughly, such as boiling or frying, kills the bacteria.
Salmonella cannot survive in temperatures above 140F.
