The California Department of Health has issued a warning about Happy Hens brand eggs because a Salmonella outbreak has been traced to them.
The department is working with the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to investigate the outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections.
As of Sept. 8, there were reports of 23 California residents who have been identified as part of the outbreak. There have been seven hospitalizations and no deaths reported. Illness onset dates range from June 21 through Aug. 16. Because this outbreak is considered ongoing, additional recent illnesses linked to this outbreak may still be identified, according to the state health department.
Investigation and interviews of ill people conducted by the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency identified Happy Hens brand eggs as the outbreak source.
From Aug. 17 to 20, the FDA conducted a routine inspection at the Happy Hens farm and collected environmental samples for testing. Two samples from poultry housing sites tested positive for Salmonella Enteritidis. Whole genome sequencing analysis revealed that the Salmonella in these environmental samples matched the Salmonella strain found in sick individuals.
Initially refusing to issue a recall, on Sept. 8, Happy Hens of Ramona, CA, recalled Happy Hens brand eggs. The CDPH is warning people not to eat, serve, or sell the recalled in-shell eggs distributed by Happy Hens.
Happy Hens eggs were distributed to restaurants, grocery stores, and farmer’s markets, in Southern California and the Central Coast, and available for sale directly at the farm.
Consumers can identify the recalled eggs by looking for the following information:
Product description: In-shell organic eggs (all grades and sizes)Egg Handler Code: CA-0677Lot/Date codes:223 Sell By Sep 10226 Sell By Sep 13237 Sell By Sep 24Brand name: Happy HensPackage sizes:Consumer: 1-dozen carton, 18-count carton, 20-count flats, 30-count flatsFoodservice: 15-dozen cases containing 6 flats with 30 eggs each
About Salmonella infections
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile.
Anyone who has eaten any Happy Hens eggs and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.
Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients require hospitalization.
Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop a severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.
Some people get infected without getting sick or showing any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infections to others.