Washington State firm recalls dried egg product due to the potential for Salmonella contamination

A Washington State company, Nutriom, is recalling 226,710 pounds of processed egg products due to potential salmonella contamination.  The issue was discovered by Washington State Laboratories.  To date, there have been no illnesses reported.

A processed egg product should not have Salmonella.   Why no illnesses?  For one, the contamination rate may be very low.  From the report, we cannot tell to what degree the product was contaminated.  Second, the eggs were probably used in applications that required further heating.

 USDA News Release

Washington Firm Recalls Dried Egg Products Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination

Class I Recall 015-2014

Health Risk: High Feb 15, 2014

 http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/FSIS-Content/internet/main/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2014/recall-015-2014-release

Congressional and Public Affairs

Joan Lindenberger

(202) 720-9113

 

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15, 2014 – Nutriom LLC, a Lacey, Wash., establishment, is recalling approximately 226,710 pounds of processed egg products that may be contaminated with Salmonella, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

 

The following products were shipped to co-packers for incorporation into consumer-size packages:

• 1,383-lb. super sack of “OvaEasy Boil-in-Bag Egg Mix, Butter Flavor” with the lot code “C0513-A”
• 2,540-lb. super sack of “OvaEasy Plain Whole Egg” with the lot code “B1913-A”
• 2,409-lb. super sack of “OvaEasy Plain Whole Egg” with the lot code “B1913-B”
• 4,712-lb. super sack of “OvaEasy Plain Whole Egg” with the lot code “E0713-A,B”
• 1,265-lb. super sack of “OvaEasy Boil-in-Bag, Heat and Serve” with the lot code “F1813-A”
• 4,155-lb. super sack of “OvaEasy Plain Whole Egg” with the lot code “I1113-A”
• 6,132-lb. super sack of “OvaEasy Plain Whole Egg, Cage Free” with the lot code “J2913-A”
• 9,345-lb. super sack of “OvaEasy Plain Whole Egg, Cage Free” with the lot code “A1414-A”
•  

The following products were packaged in consumer-sized packages:

• 3.06-lb. bags of “OvaEasy Boil-in-Bag Egg Mix, Butter Flavor” with the Julian dates “3074” and “3075”
• 2.34-lb. bags of “OvaEasy Boil-in-Bag, Reduced Cholesterol” with the Julian dates “3122,” “3123,” “3124,” “3127,” “3128” and “3129”
• 4.5-oz. cans of “OvaEasy Plain Whole Egg” with the Julian date “2903,” “1343” and “2893”
• 4-oz. bags of “OvaEasy Plain Whole Egg” with the Julian dates “0853” and “0863”
• 4.5-oz. bags of “OvaEasy Plain Whole Egg” with the Julian dates “0853,” “0863” and “0873”
• 1.75-lb. packs of “OvaEasy Plain Whole Egg” with the Julian dates “0813,” “1083,” “1093,” “1433,” “1443,” “1573,” “1723,” “2063,” “2163,” “2173,” “2183” “2243,” “2253,” “2183,” “2533,” “2543,” “2553,” “2563,” “2623,” “2633,”“2673,” “2683,” “2693” and “2703”
• 3.2-oz. bags of “Wise Company, Wise Blend” with the Julian dates “0953” and “0993”
• 2-oz. packs of “OvaEasy Plain Whole Egg” with the Julian dates “2073,” “2063,” “2163,” “2603,” “2613” “2903,” “2913,” “2953,” “2963,” “3173” and “3183”
• 3.2-oz. packs of “Wise Company, Wise Blend” with the Julian dates “1133,” “1143,” “1153,” “1163” and “1353”
• 1.17-lb. bags of “OvaEasy UGRA Boil-in-Bag, Reduced Cholesterol” with the Julian dates “3129,” “3130” and “3137”
• 1.75-lb. packs of “OvaEasy” with the Julian dates “2163,” “2173,” “2183” and “2243”
• 4.5-oz. packs of “OvaEasy Plain Whole Egg” with the Julian date “2563”
• 1.1-lb. packs of “OvaEasy UGR H&S” with the Julian dates “3173,” “3174,” “3175,” “3177,” “3178,” “3179,” “3180,” “3181,” “3182,” “3183,” “3194,” “3195,” “3196,” “3197,” “3198” and “3199”
• 1.1-lb. packs of “G0213-A UGR H&S” with the Julian dates “3186,” “3187,” “3189,” “3190” and “3191”
• 128-gram packs of “Egg Crystal, Sea Salt and Pepper” with the Julian date “3033”
• 128-gram packs of “Egg Crystal, Sausage and Herb” with the Julian date “3043”
• 1.17-lb. packs of “OvaEasy UGR-A Reduced Cholesterol” with the Julian dates “3141,” “3142,” “3148,” “3149” and “3150”
• 3-oz. packs of “eFoods Plain Whole Egg” with the Julian dates of “3173” and “3183”

 

The dried egg products were produced between Feb. 28, 2013, and Feb. 8, 2014, and bear the establishment number “INSPECTED EGG PRODUCTS PLANT 21493G” inside the USDA Mark of Inspection. These products were shipped nationwide and to U.S. military installations in the United States and abroad, as well as to Canada.

 

The problem was discovered by Washington State Laboratories in response to a billing inquiry by Nutriom LLC. The laboratory then notified FSIS personnel of the discrepancies in laboratory results. FSIS and the company have received no reports of illnesses due to consumption of these products.

 

Consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella can cause salmonellosis, one of the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses. The most common symptoms of salmonellosis are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating the contaminated product. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days. Most people recover without treatment. In some persons, however, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. Older adults, infants, and persons with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop a severe illness. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact their health care provider.

 

FSIS inspects egg products under the Egg Products Inspection Act. FDA typically takes jurisdiction of egg products after they leave the egg facility if they are incorporated into FDA-regulated products. In this case, USDA is leading the recall rather than FDA because the products are in consumer packages with an identifiable USDA Mark of Inspection, and FSIS had jurisdiction over the product when the contamination occurred. FSIS and FDA are continuing to work together to ensure food safety, and the management of this recall is such an example.

 

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.

 

FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare and consume egg products that have been cooked to a temperature of 160° F. The only way to confirm that egg products are cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature, http://1.usa.gov/1cDxcDQ.

 

Media with questions regarding the recall can contact Leonardo Etcheto, Chief Operating Officer, at (360) 413-7269, ext. 106. Consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Julie Cuffee, Customer Service Representative, at (360) 413-7269, ext. 101.

 

Consumers with food safety questions can &quotAsk Karen,&quot the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov or via smartphone at m.askkaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day. The online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/reportproblem.