Michael Foods, Inc. is recalling some of its hard-cooked eggs over potential contamination with the dangerous, sometimes fatal, Listeria monocytogenes pathogen, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just announced.
The recalled Michael Foods, Inc. hard-cooked eggs are sold in brine in 10- and 25-pound pails for institutional use. The recalled eggs were produced at Michael Foods’ Wakefield, Nebraska facility and were purchased by food distributors and manufacturers in 34 states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Jersey, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia.
The recalled hard-cooked eggs are labeled under six brand names—Columbia Valley Farms, GFS, Glenview Farms, Papetti’s, Silverbrook, and Wholesome Farms—and bear lot codes 1 LOT 1350W through 1 LOT 2025W with expiration dates from 1/30/2012 to 3/10/2012. Only lot codes immediately preceded by a “1” and ending in a “W” are affected, for example, said the firm: USE BY 11 FEB 12 – 1 LOT 1362 W means: USE BY 11 FEB 12 = Use by Date 1 = line impacted by recall Lot 1362 = Lot Number W = Wakefield.
No eggs sold directly by Michael Foods to retailers or consumers are involved; however, food distributors and manufacturers that purchased the eggs could have used them in products that were sold to retail outlets or used in foodservice settings. Michael Foods is working with customers who purchased eggs from these lots to ensure all product is removed from the market. Consumers who believe they might have purchased product affected by the recall, or those who are unsure, should contact the original place of purchase. Michael Foods can be reached, toll-free, at 1.877.367.3447, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time (EST).
The recall was initiated after laboratory testing revealed that some eggs within the recalled lot dates may have been tainted with Listeria monocytogenes. A recall of three lot dates was announced January 26. As a precaution, the recall has been expanded to include additional lot dates. A Michael Foods’ investigation found that a specific repair project in its packaging room is the likely source of the contamination. Michael’s Foods said it has taken corrective steps to address the issue and prevent recurrence.
While no confirmed reports of illness in connection with these recalled eggs has been reported, as we’ve long explained, the Listeria pathogen is unique because it tends to thrive in colder temperatures, such as those found in refrigerated environments and it also has an unusually long incubation period of up to 70 days, according to experts.
The Listeria monocytogenes pathogen can also lead to the listeriosis infection, which is potentially fatal and can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, abdominal cramps and pain, diarrhea, and nausea, especially in those with weakened immune systems, infants, and the elderly. Vulnerable populations, such as the developing fetus, can suffer serious central nervous system problems. The infection can also prompt premature births, or the death of the fetus via miscarriage and stillbirth; pregnant women are 20 times likelier to become infected. Listeriosis can lead to hearing loss or brain damage in newborns, and can lead to neurological effects and cardio respiratory failure in adults.
