More than 70 people across seven states have been sickened due to a salmonella outbreak linked to eggs recalled by a California-based egg distributor, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

On Friday, the August Egg Company recalled 1.7 million dozen brown cage-free and brown certified organic eggs, sold under multiple brand names, that have the “potential to be contaminated,” according to a recall notice from the US Food and Drug Administration.

Of the 79 people sickened, 21 people have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported, the CDC said.

The eggs were sold to restaurants and retailers in Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Washington and Wyoming, according to the CDC. They were distributed at retail locations including Walmart, Save Mart, FoodMaxx, Lucky, Smart & Final, Safeway, Raleys, Food 4 Less and Ralphs.

    • halcyoncmdr@lemmy.worldEnglish
      22·
      1 day ago

      Ironically, one of the reasons we have to refrigerate our eggs is because they’re required to be washed in the factory farm process which removes a natural protective membrane.

      • Boddhisatva@lemmy.worldEnglish
        32·
        1 day ago

        It’s still a good idea to refrigerate them. It is possible, if unlikely, that salmonella can get inside the shell from the mother before the egg is laid. Keeping the eggs below 40 degrees Fahrenheit will keep the germs from growing inside during storage.

        • Boddhisatva@lemmy.worldEnglish
          5·
          1 day ago

          For those doubting me and down-voting.

          FoodSafety.Gov

          Salmonella can get inside eggs too. This happens while the egg is forming inside the chicken before the egg makes a shell. Today, a lot fewer egg-laying hens have this problem than during the 1980s and 1990s, so eggs are safer. But some eggs are still contaminated with Salmonella.

        • halcyoncmdr@lemmy.worldEnglish
          151·
          1 day ago

          Actually the opposite. Our eggs need to be refrigerated, but the process also means they spoil slower if properly chilled. Washing also removes contaminants from the environment where they’re laid, which is not very hygienic because they’re fucking chickens, there’s old feed, dirt and chicken shit everywhere regardless of the type of size of facility or backyard. Having them washed during processing means you generally don’t need to bother washing them at home, you can just use them.

          It’s two different ways of operating, each with some advantages and disadvantages.