Egg Recall 2012: Listeria Contamination in Cooked Eggs Prompts Recall in 34 States

Michael Foods has initiated a recall of hard-cooked eggs due to a listeria contamination scare. The Minnesota-based company is recalling over a million eggs after tests revealed some eggs may be contaminated with listeria. The eggs in question had been delivered to 34 states to distributors and manufacturers, not directly to retailers.

The 34 states included in the egg recall are: Alabama; Arkansas; Arizona; California; Colorado; Florida; Georgia; Iowa; Illinois; Indiana; Kansas; Kentucky; Louisiana; Michigan; Minnesota; Missouri; Mississippi; Montana; North Carolina; North Dakota; Nebraska; New Jersey; Nevada; Ohio; Oklahoma; Oregon; Pennsylvania; South Carolina; Tennessee; Texas; Utah; Washington; Wisconsin; and West Virginia.

Meanwhile, the eggs being recalled are being sold under the following brand names: Columbia Valley Farms; GFS; Glenview Farms; Papetti’s; Silverbrook; and Wholesome Farms.

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), listeria can cause serious illness, and sometime death, to infants, young children and the elderly. Other individuals who are frail or with weakened immune systems are also at such risks. Listeria infection can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. For others, listeria can result to high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Posted below is the full press release of the US FDA on the egg recall:

Michael Foods Recalls Hard-Cooked Eggs Packed In Brine Sold In 10- And 25-Pound Pails Because Of Possible Health Risk

Contact:

Consumer:
877-367-3447

Media:
Diane Sparish
952-258-4045
Diane.sparish@michaelfoods.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 1, 2012 -Michael Foods, Inc. is recalling specific lot dates of hard-cooked eggs in brine sold in 10- and 25-pound pails for institutional use that were produced at its Wakefield, Nebraska facility because the product has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.  Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The recalled eggs were purchased by food distributors and manufacturers located in 34 states (AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NV, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, WA, WI, WV). The recall is limited to hard-cooked eggs in brine in 10- and 25-pound pails prodced at its Wakefield, Nebraska facility, which are labeled under six brand names (Columbia Valley Farms, GFS, Glenview Farms, Papetti’s, Silverbrook, Wholesome Farms) and bearing lot codes of 1 LOT 1350W through 1 LOT 2025W and expiration dates ranging from 1/30/2012 to 3/10/2012

Only lot codes immediately preceded by a “1” AND ending in a “W” are affected, please see the following example:
Here is an example of the lot codes on the packaging: USE BY 11 FEB 12    1  LOT 1362 W

USE BY 11 FEB 12 = Use by Date
1 = line impacted by recall
LOT 1362 = Lot Number
W = Wakefield
None of the eggs were sold directly by Michael Foods to retailers or consumers.  However, food distributors and manufacturers who purchased the eggs could have used them in products that were sold to retail outlets or used in foodservice settings.  Michael Foods is working with customers who purchased eggs from these lots to ensure that all product is removed from the market.  Consumers who believe they might have purchased product affected by the recall, or those who are unsure, should contact the original place of purchase.

There have been no confirmed reports of illness in connection with this product.

The recall was initiated after lab testing revealed that some of the eggs within the recalled lot dates may have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  A recall of three lot dates was announced on Thursday, January 26.  As a precautionary measure, the recall was expanded today to include additional lot dates.  Michael Foods reached the decision to expand this recall after a thorough investigation which indicated a specific repair project that took place in the packaging room as the likely source of the contamination.  The company has taken a number of corrective steps to address the issue and prevent recurrence.

For further questions regarding this recall, please call Michael Foods at 877-367-3447, Monday through Friday, 8am – 5pm EST.

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