8 sickened in multistate salmonella outbreak linked to shell eggs

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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers against consuming shell eggs distributed by Good Earth Egg Company after eight people in three U.S. states have reported illness that officials have determined is caused by salmonella Oranienburg. On Tuesday, the Bonne Terre, Missouri-based company issued a recall for some of its eggs that were distributed across the Midwest.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, two of the people sickened in the outbreak have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported. Illnesses were reported in Illinois, Kansas and Missouri.

Symptoms of salmonella include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. Most people recover in four to seven days without treatment, but young, elderly or immunosuppressed individuals are at risk of suffering more serious illness.

The recall applies to eggs sold in various counts, including 10, 12, 17, and 15- and 30-dozen cases. The dates and codes on the recalled cartons and cases include everything prior to and including date code 252 – Sell By 10/08/2016, with “Packed for” or “Produced for Good Earth Egg Company."

To reduce the risk of illness, the FDA is advising consumers not to eat eggs produced by Good Earth Egg Company, and to return them for a refund where they purchased them or dispose of them immediately. The eggs were sold under different brand names, according to the CDC. If consumers are unsure of where their eggs were distributed from, it advised asking the store where they bought them or the restaurant where they’re eating them.

The FDA advised consumers also to clean any surfaces or utensils that may have touched the eggs if they stored them in their homes.