Massive Egg Recall in USA due to Salmonella Outbreak

Half a billion eggs shipped to 14 states in the USA have been recalled over recent weeks due to a salmonella outbreak.  Around 2,000 cases of salmonellosis have been reported, although with unreported cases the true number could be over 70,000.

The entire outbreak was linked to a very small number of farms, mainly due to the consolidation in US agriculture over the past few decades.  The production methods of these massive farms have been called into question and there have been many calls for improvements in the way the Food and Drug Administration supervises the food industry.

Salmonella is the genus name for a large number (over 2,500) of types of bacteria.  The most common disease  associated with Salmonella  is called Salmonellosis,  which is gastroenteritis (food poisoning).  The symptoms are nasea, vomiting, and diarrhea.  Although food poisoning is usually mild, it does lead to about 500 deaths per year in the USA.

The most obvious way to avoid egg-based Salmonellosis is not to eat eggs, especially infants and elderly people.  If you do want to eat eggs, then only eat fresh eggs and ensure that the are fully cooked.  You should even take the precaution of washing all hands and all surfaces that come in contact with raw eggs (and raw chicken or meat for the same reason).

As might be expected, the crisis has resulted in multiple lawsuits from victims.