Consumer Alert: Salmonella Tainted Eggs

On August 13, 2010, Wright County Egg of Galt, Iowa, conducted a nationwide voluntary recall of shell eggs that it had shipped since May 19, 2010 to various food wholesalers, distribution centers and foodservice companies in California, Illinois, Missouri, Colorado, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. That recall was expanded yesterday to include these companies in Arkansas, Arizona, Georgia, Oklahoma, Oregon, Nevada, Texas, Utah and Washington. These companies distribute nationwide.

The recalled shell eggs are packaged under the following brand names: Lucerne, Albertson, Mountain Dairy, Ralph’s, Boomsma’s, Sunshine, Hillandale, Trafficanda, Farm Fresh, Shoreland, Lund, Dutch Farms and Kemps.

Following yesterday’s announcement of this recall, the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs today contacted major grocery/supermarket chains operating stores in New Jersey, including A&P, Acme, Foodtown, Pathmark, ShopRite and Stop & Shop. These companies have reported that they receive eggs only from nearby regional sources and did not receive, and do not stock, those eggs subject to the recall. The Division has also consulted information compiled by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which indicates that none of the eggs subject to the recall were shipped to New Jersey.

Based on the Division’s findings today, there is no indication that stores in New Jersey received any of the potentially tainted eggs that are the subject of the nationwide recall.

Many supermarkets have signs posted at dairy cases, informing consumers that the eggs available for sale are not part of the recall. Consumers also can ask store managers about the eggs offered for sale, if no information about the recall is posted.

For more information about the recall, go to http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/WhatsNewinFood/ucm222684.htm .

The Division of Consumer Affairs may be contacted at http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov or at 1-800-242-5846 (toll-free within N.J.) or 973-504-6200.