P RODUCT R ECALL What: Shell Eggs* Recall Date: August 19, 2010, updated August 20, 2010 Why: An outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis sickened hundreds of people across the United States led the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to impose a nationwide recall of shell eggs. On August 13, 2010, Wright County Egg of Galt, Iowa, conducted a nationwide voluntary recall of shell eggs. Shell eggs from Wright County Egg were sold to distributors and wholesalers in 22 states and Mexico, who then distributed the shell eggs further throughout the country. On August 19, Hillandale Farms of Iowa initiated an additional recall of eggs that went to grocery stores, distributors, and wholesalers in 14 states that also distributed the shell eggs further throughout the country. Incidents: In July 2010, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) identified a nationwide increase of Salmonella Enteritidis that appeared to have begun in May The number of reports increased substantially in July when the peak of the outbreak occurred. A formal trace back investigation was conducted in several cluster states (California, Colorado, and Minnesota) in collaboration with the FDA and CDC in order to find a common source of the outbreak. Wright County Egg in Iowa was found as the common source. From May 1 to October 15, 2010, a total of 3,182 Salmonella Enteritidis illnesses were reported [1]. Number of Shell Eggs affected: 500 million+ (sold in various carton sizes; multiple brands) When Shipped/Sold: April 2010 – August 2010 (distribution centers, grocery stores, etc) * Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration 1 ETM591 Jermaine Early

M ANAGEMENT ISSUES Recognition of Problem: At Wright County Egg in Iowa, FDA investigators are performing environmental assessments of farm conditions and practices including pest and rodent controls, bio-security plans, environmental monitoring, sanitary controls and feed controls. Over the next 15 months, FDA investigators will team up with state and local partners to visit about 60 egg producers (those with 50,000 or more laying hens) to determine if their facilities are in compliance with an egg safety rule that went into effect in July This new egg safety rule directs facilities with 50,000 or more hens must implement controls such as refrigeration of eggs within 36 hours of laying, ensuring chicks are from uninfected flocks, and testing hens houses for Salmonella Enteritidis [2]. Speed of Response: The FDA activated its emergency operations command center with scientist, investigators, epidemiologists, and communication experts. In addition, the FDA deployed an initial team of 10 investigators to Wright County Egg in Iowa to inspect the farms and determine the source of the Salmonella Enteritidis contamination. The FDA is initiating effectiveness checks of the recall, conducting checks at retail stores, wholesalers and distributors to make sure the recalled shell eggs are being removed from the market. Responsibility: Wright County Egg issued a press release statement saying “Our primary concern is keeping Salmonella out of the food supply and away from consumers. As a precautionary measure, Wright County Egg also has decided to divert its existing inventory of shell eggs to a breaker, where they will be pasteurized to kill any Salmonella bacteria present. 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 full refund” [3]. 2 ETM591 Jermaine Early

I MPACT O F R ECALL Legal Consequences: The FDA sent a letter to Wright County Egg telling them that failure to take prompt corrective action may result in regulatory action being initiated by the FDA without further notice. These actions include, but are not limited to, seizure and/or injunction. Additionally, under the new egg rule, egg producers are legally responsible for implementing measures that will prevent egg contamination [2]. Reputation: Austin DeCoster, the owner of Quality Egg LLC dba Wright County Egg has a history of violating federal and state laws and regulations. Mr. DeCoster pleaded guilty in 2003 to federal immigration charges and paid $2.1 million in penalties. Mr. DeCoster is also a repeat violator of state environmental laws. Earlier this year Mr. DeCoster paid a fine to settle animal cruelty charges against his egg operations in Maine. To make matters worst, Wright County Egg used unauthorized egg cartons to package and sell eggs under the Dutch Farms name without Dutch Farms knowledge. Those eggs are subject to the recall. Legal representation has been sought in this matter to protect Dutch Farms’ customers and the Dutch Farm family [4]. Sales: The recall affects eggs sold under the following brands: Lucerne, Albertson, Mountain Dairy, Ralph’s, Boomsma’s, Sunshine, Hillandale, Trafficanda, Farm Fresh, Shortland, Lund, Dutch Farms, and Kemps [5]. Hillandale Farms is the only egg supplier that has been authorized by the FDA to start back shipping eggs. Hillandale Farms began shipping on October 18, ETM591 Jermaine Early

R EFERENCES [1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2010). Investigation Update: Multistate Outbreak of Human Salmonella Enteritidis Infections Associated with Shell Eggs. Atlanta, GA: Department of Health and Human Services Retrieved from http// [2] Consumer Health Information. (2010). FDA Steps Up Inspections Under New Egg Rule. Silver Spring, MD: U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved from [3] Wright County Egg Media Statement. (2010). Wright County Egg Conducts Nationwide Voluntary Recalls of Shell Eggs Because of Possible Health Risks. Galt, IA. Retrieved from alert-1. [4] Marler, Bill. (2010). Wright County Egg seems to be in some hot water-too bad it is not 160 degrees. Retrieved from cases/wright-county-egg-seems-to-be-in-some-hot-water-too-bad-it-is-not-160- degrees/. [5] Hunter, Aina. (2010). Egg Recall Sparked by Salmonella Threat: Are You at Risk? Retrieved from html. 4 ETM591 Jermaine Early