A national recall is under way after tainted eggs caused dozens of people in the county and more than 200 statewide to get sick with diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps, according to the county Department of Public Health.
Eggs from Wright County Egg of Galt, Iowa, marketed under a variety of brand names, have been linked to Salmonella Enteriditis.
“Public health is coordinating with state and federal agencies on this issue,” said Dr. Jonathan Fielding, the county’s top health officer.
In California, 266 people, including 43 in L.A. County, have become sick after eating the tainted eggs, according to Fielding.
Most people with the illness develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps between 12 and 72 hours after infection. The illness typically lasts between four and seven days. But babies, elderly individuals and those with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop severe illness. Severe infections can be fatal if left untreated with antibiotics.
The egg recall includes products 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.
The products being recalled include the six egg, one dozen and 18-egg cartons. They have Julian dates ranging from 136 to 225 and plant numbers P1026, P1413 and P1946. The dates and codes can be found stamped on the end of the carton. The plant number is first, followed by the Julian date.
The Department of Public Health has reached out to food distributors and retailers throughout the county to ensure that these products are removed from vendors’ shelves. Consumers are advised to return the eggs to the store of purchase for a full refund.
Another recall is simultaneously taking place and is related to mamey, a tropical fruit pulp also called zapote or sapote. The pulp has been linked to a salmonella typhi outbreak that has sickened two people in the county and five statewide. The pulp, which is often added to
milkshakes or smoothies, has a shelf life of two to three years and is produced by COCO S.A. of Guatemala and distributed by Goya Goods Inc. The recalled product is a 14-ounce package with UPC number 041331090803. All production lot codes are being recalled. Consumers are urged to throw the fruit pulp away and contact Goya Foods Inc.’s Consumer Affairs Department at (800) 275-4692.
Salmonella Typhi can cause typhoid fever, which can be transmitted person-to-person and can result in prolonged fever up to 103 degrees. Victims may also feel weak or have stomach aches, headache or loss of appetite. In some cases, patients have a rash of flat, rose-colored spots. The only way to confirm a diagnosis of typhoid fever is through a blood or stool test. Antibiotics typically provide relief within two to three days, but without treatment as many as 20% of patients may die from complications.
“If you have purchased eggs or mamey pulp recently, please check your refrigerator and freezer to make sure that you do not have any of the potentially contaminated product,” Fielding said.
