Country Eggs Recall Widens as Salmonella Hits 95 People in 14 States

U.S. health authorities are investigating a multistate Salmonella outbreak that has sickened at least 95 people since January, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Thursday. Cases span 14 states, with California accounting for 73 infections. Eighteen patients have required hospitalization, and no fatalities have been recorded. The illnesses have been traced to large brown cage-free eggs produced by Country Eggs LLC of Lucerne Valley, California. The company on 27 August recalled its products—marketed under the names “Sunshine Yolks” and “Omega-3 Golden Yolks” and distributed to grocery stores and food-service suppliers in California and Nevada—after U.S. Food and Drug Administration traceback linked the eggs to the outbreak. Affected cartons bear code CA-7695 and sell-by dates from July 1 through September 16; some retail labels list September 18. Country Eggs has suspended production while the investigation continues. Consumers are urged to discard or return the recalled eggs and to sanitize any surfaces that may have contacted them. The CDC cautioned that children under five, adults over 65 and people with weakened immune systems face higher risk of severe illness, which can include prolonged diarrhea, high fever and dehydration.