Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Eggs Sold in the Midwest
In 2023, consumption of eggs in the United States was estimated at 281.3 per person. Undoubtedly a staple in the American diet, concerns have been raised over the safety of egg production following a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recall of eggs linked to a salmonella outbreak in several Midwest states. Scroll to read more on the outbreak, the state of food safety in the United States and what you can do to protect yourself from foodborne illnesses.
Salmonella outbreak linked to eggs in the Midwest
On September 6, the CDC issued a Food Safety Alert after 65 people from nine states contracted the same strain of salmonella from eggs sold in Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. The recall has been upgraded by the FDA to a Class I recall—which according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture indicates, "a reasonable probability that use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death."
The recalled products from Milo’s Poultry Farms LLC include all chicken egg types and expiration dates that were sold to stores and restaurants across the three states. These products are labeled with "Milo's Poultry Farms" or "Tony's Fresh Market."
The outbreak was discovered following an inspection of Milo's Poultry Farms’ packing facility and the hen egg laying house, where the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determined the strain had originated.
According to the CDC, no deaths connected to the outbreak have been reported; however, 24 people have been hospitalized due to salmonellosis-related symptoms. Most salmonellosis cases have been reported in Wisconsin and Illinois.
The state of food safety in the United States
This recent egg recall is one in a growing list of food safety alerts issued by the FDA and CDC this year.
Contaminated food items in 2024 include Boar’s Head deli meat, AW Farms hot dogs, several brands of cinnamon and cucumbers.
Some experts speculate that the increased number of recalls may be rooted in the trend of more large food corporations owning a variety of smaller brands making it more difficult to closely regulate food production.
“You get production operations that are generally larger. And can affect a greater span of the food products that we eat,” Clark County health commissioner Chris Cook told WDTN.com.
Cook also shared that more advanced technology may also be the reason for more food recalls as of late. Better technology may lead to more alerts even if only a small issue is detected.
How to prevent food poisoning
In addition to staying up to date with food recalls in your area and nationwide through the FDA’s website, there are several ways you can prevent food poisoning.
Wash your hands
Not only can food be contaminated by manufacturers, you can contaminate your own food by not practicing good hygiene in the kitchen. To avoid cross contamination, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before handling any food.
Cook your food thoroughly
Raw ground beef, raw chicken and eggs are notorious for containing bacteria and parasites that lead to food poisoning. To prevent contamination, follow the FDA’s internal temperature guidelines when handling these foods.
Consider antimicrobial seasonings
A surprising way to reduce the risk of food poisoning is in your spice cabinet. For example, garlic contains allicin, a compound that is effective against E.coli and other bacteria. Other spices with antimicrobial properties include:
Cinnamon
Oregano
Turmeric
Thyme
Cloves
Lemongrass
Sage
Parsley
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