Egg-Linked Salmonella Outbreak Continues to Sicken Victims

 Posted on May 19, 2018 in Salmonella

In the weeks since we last reported on the salmonella outbreak that led to one of the largest egg recalls in United States history, the illnesses have only spread and the hospitalizations have only increased. As of May 2018, 207 million eggs have been recalled and 35 people have reported falling ill.

Eggs are one of the most commonly consumed foods in the United States. In addition to being a breakfast staple, they are a critical ingredient in many baked goods and an emulsifier for many food products. Eggs as ingredients are difficult to avoid, which means that an individual can still be at risk of contracting salmonella or another type of food poisoning if he or she chooses to avoid eggs.

Updated Outbreak Facts and Statistics

As of May 2018, these are the facts about the salmonella outbreak:

• 35 people have reported experiencing salmonella poisoning symptoms after consuming the eggs named in the recall;
• No deaths have been reported in relation to this outbreak;
• Victims in nine states were affected: New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Colorado, and Florida;
• The outbreak was traced to Rose Acre Farms, an Indiana egg producer that supplies eggs to grocery stores, such as Walmart and Food Lion, and restaurants; and
• The eggs were sold under numerous brand names, including Great Value and Sunshine Farms.

How Eggs can Carry Salmonella

Salmonella is transmitted through animal feces, and this is often how the bacteria contaminates eggs. Sometimes, bacteria reaches an egg while it is still in the hen's ovary or oviduct, before the shell develops. Salmonella can also be transmitted through water.

Protect Yourself and Your Family From Salmonella Poisoning

Salmonella poisoning, also known as salmonellosis, is preventable. A few key ways to protect yourself and your family from coming into contact with the bacteria are:

• Washing your hands thoroughly before cooking, before eating, and after using the bathroom. If you have a young child in diapers, be sure to wash your hands completely after changing every diaper;
• Avoiding cross-contamination by using separate cutting boards, cooking utensils, and serving utensils for every course in a meal;
• Cook all food, especially animal-based foods like eggs and meat, completely before consuming them. Cooking food kills all bacteria lurking within, and choosing to eat a medium well steak instead of a rare steak can be the difference between staying safe and falling ill; and
• Wash your hands after handling animals.

Work With an Experienced Chicago Food Poisoning Attorney

Contact our team of experienced food poisoning lawyers at Newland & Newland, LLP today to set up your free legal consultation in our office. If you have suffered damages because of a preventable bout with salmonella, you have the right to pursue compensation for those damages. Work with us to file and pursue your personal injury claim. We serve clients in the Arlington Heights, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Libertyville, Mundelein, Buffalo Grove, Schaumburg, Elk Grove, and Itasca areas.

(image courtesy of Caroline Attwood)