Topline

The Food and Drug Administration issued a “Class I” designation to a recall of 1.5 million eggs announced last month, tacking on the classification to warn consumers of adverse health consequences linked to possible salmonella contamination as the recall continues.

Key Facts

The recall issued in July impacted 1.58 million cartons of eggs with sell by or best by dates between July 20 and Aug. 17.

The eggs are being investigated for salmonella, with 98 people infected by the associated outbreak strain, according to a July FDA update, which said shell eggs recalled by Midwest Poultry Services were the “likely source of illnesses” in the outbreak.

Hospitalizations totaled 26 as of that FDA update, with no deaths reported.

A Class I designation from the FDA is defined as “a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”

However, the FDA says designations “should not be seen as an expansion or change to a firm’s voluntary public warning,” noting recalls can be announced well before the agency officially designates one as a Class I, II or III.

What States And Stores Has The Recall Been Linked To?

Recalled eggs were located in some Kroger stores in Texas and Louisiana, according to the FDA, as well as “Brookshire Grocery stores in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana, and other smaller retail and foodservice outlets in these states plus Mississippi and New Mexico.”

What Are The Symptoms Of Salmonella?

Salmonella symptoms usually develop within 12 to 72 hours after ingesting contaminated food and include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Symptoms typically last four to seven days.

Key Background

Several food recalls have made headlines this year. Early this week, Taylor Farms announced it was recalling prepared foods with jalapenos due to possible salmonella contamination, impacting items like guacamole, salsa and pico de gallo from large grocers like Kroger, Walmart, Target and Whole Foods. Taylor Farms was also linked to a multi-state cyclosporiasis outbreak triggered by contaminated iceberg lettuce. Since May, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has received reports of 13,895 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis acquired in the U.S. Michigan has led the outbreak in cases, recording over 13,000 cases and two deaths as of Aug. 13.