CDC Expects Number of Consumers Affected by Salmonella-Contaminated Eggs to Grow

Earlier this month an Iowa egg manufacturer issued a voluntary recall of millions of eggs contaminated with Salmonella. As a result of the contaminated eggs, the Centers for Disease Control have received complaints of illness from hundreds of consumers, and federal officials expect that number to grow over the coming months.

Initially, the Iowa manufacturer, Wright County Egg, recalled 228 million eggs, or the equivalent of 19 million dozen-egg cartons. However, that number was quickly expanded to include nearly 32 million cartons. Prior to the recall, the CDC received 2,000 complaints of Salmonella-related illnesses through July 17–which is 3 times the normal amount of complaints the agency typically receives during the late summer months. In addition, reported illnesses represent only a fraction of the actual number of true infections, thus the reason the CDC expects the number to grow in the coming months.

Salmonella Enteritidis is the most common strain of Salmonella bacteria and shell eggs are by far the most common source of the bacteria. The Food and Drug Administration is currently investigating five plants operated by Wright County Egg.