FDA issues emergency salmonella warning for Costco eggs

CNN
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The Food and Drug Administration has placed its highest warning on thousands of eggs distributed to Costco locations in five states last month, saying there is a “reasonable possibility” that eating them could result in “serious health consequences or death .”

The eggs are potentially linked to salmonella exposure.

The affected product is the Handsome Brook Farms brand of Signature Organic Pature-Raised 24-Count Eggs, which were distributed to Costco stores in Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Approximately 10,800 retail units were shipped to 25 Costco locations as of November 22.

Although the eggs were initially recalled just five days after distribution on Nov. 27, the FDA reclassified the recall to Class 1 — the agency’s highest alert level — on Friday.

Beautiful Brook Farms stated in their November 27 announcement that the recall was prompted by the discovery that eggs not intended for retail sale had been improperly packaged and distributed. The company is implementing additional supply chain controls and retraining to prevent future problems.

The affected cartons include numbers 327 and P1363 and a use-by date of January 5, 2025.

CNN reached out to Costco for comment, but did not immediately hear back.

The FDA advises consumers not to eat these eggs and suggests returning them to Costco for a full refund or disposal.

Salmonella can cause serious infections, especially in children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms can include fever, diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting – which can typically occur six hours to six days after infection and last four to seven days.

Children under 5, seniors over 65 and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of serious illness and may need medical attention or hospitalization.