The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a significant warning regarding a batch of eggs supplied to Costco outlets in five states. The warning, classified as the highest level of alert by the FDA, states that consuming these eggs could potentially lead to severe health complications or even death due to a possible salmonella contamination.
The eggs in question are linked to the Handsome Brook Farms brand of Signature Organic Pasture-Raised 24-Count Eggs. These eggs were specifically distributed to Costco stores in Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. A total of approximately 10,800 units were dispatched to 25 Costco locations starting on November 22.
Initially, a recall was initiated just five days after the distribution, on November 27. However, the FDA escalated the recall to Class 1 – the most critical level – on a subsequent Friday. Handsome Brook Farms disclosed on November 27 that the recall was necessitated by the identification of eggs that were incorrectly packaged and distributed, not intended for retail sale. The company has since announced plans to reinforce supply chain controls and undertake retraining to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The affected cartons can be identified by the numbers 327 and P1363, with a use-by date of January 5, 2025. CNN has reached out to Costco for comments on the matter, but responses are pending.
As a precautionary measure, the FDA advises consumers against consuming these particular eggs and recommends returning them to Costco for a full refund or safely disposing of them. Salmonella, a bacterium that can result in serious infections, poses heightened risks particularly to children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems, according to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Symptoms of salmonella poisoning may include fever, diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting, typically appearing within six hours to six days post-infection and lasting for four to seven days.
Individuals under the age of 5, those over 65, and individuals with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk of experiencing severe illness and may require medical attention or hospitalization if affected by salmonella.
