Hillandale Farms of Iowa voluntarily recalls shell eggs

Aug 21 2010

Hillandale Farms of Iowa is voluntarily recalling shell eggs because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.  Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.  Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.  In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis, or arthritis.

Eggs affected by this recall were distributed to grocery distribution centers, retail grocery stores and foodservice companies which service or are located in fourteen states, including the following:  Arkansas, California, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin.

There have been laboratory-confirmed Salmonella enteritidis illnesses associated with the shell eggs; the investigation is ongoing.

Eggs are distributed under the following brand names:  Hillandale Farms, Sunny Farms, and Sunny Meadow in 6-egg cartons, dozen-egg cartons, 18-egg cartons, 30-egg package, and 5-dozen cases.  Loose eggs are packaged under the following brand names:  Wholesome Farms and West Creek in 15 and 30-dozen tray packs.  The loose eggs may also be repackaged by customers.

Only eggs with these plant numbers are affected - even though the brand name may be the same.

Julian dates and plant codes can be found stamped on the end of the egg carton or printed on the case label.  The plant number begins with the letter P and then the number.  The Julian date follows the plant number, for example:  P1860 230.

Consumers who believe they may have purchased these shell eggs should not eat them but should return them to the store where they were purchased for a full refund.  Consumers with questions should contact Hillandale Farms at (866) 262-4208.

Hillandale Farms strives to provide our customers with safe, high-quality eggs – that is our responsibility and our commitment and why we are fully cooperating with FDA's investigation and are undertaking this voluntary recall.  Additionally, as a precautionary measure, we are also diverting our existing inventory of shell eggs.

SOURCE Hillandale Farms of Iowa