Eggs recalled in 34 states over listeria concerns

GlobalPost

Over one million cooked eggs that may be contaminated with listeria have been recalled in 34 states, according to the Food and Drug Administration

Michael Foods, a Minnesota-based food company, is recalling its hard-cooked eggs after tests revealed some may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. The company, based in Nebraska, sells 10 and 25-pound pails of eggs in brine, and sells the product for institutional use, CBS News reported

The FDA said the eggs were bought by food distributors and not sold directly to consumers. The products are sold under six brand names: Columbia Valley Farms; GFS; Glenview Farms; Papetti's; Silverbrook; and Wholesome Farms, the Associated Press reported

There have not been any reports of illness connected to the eggs so far, CBS reported.

"Michael Foods is working with customers who purchased eggs from these lots to ensure that all product is removed from the market," the FDA said in a statement. "Consumers who believe they might have purchased the product affected by the recall, or those who are unsure, should contact the original place of purchase."    

Some eggs were revealed to have been contaminated after lab testing by a third party, according the report. A repair project in a packaging room was the likely source of contamination, Michael Food's spokeswoman Diane Sparish said in an email to the AP. 

More from GlobalPost: Cantaloupes kill up to 16 people in listeria outbreak

Listeria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems, the Los Angeles Times reported. Listeria can also cause high fever, headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea in healthy people. 

More from GlobalPost: Bachmann says food industry is overregulated

Help keep The World going strong!

The article you just read is free because dedicated readers and listeners like you chose to support our nonprofit newsroom. Our team works tirelessly to ensure you hear the latest in international, human-centered reporting every weekday. But our work would not be possible without you. We need your help.

Make a gift today to help us reach our $25,000 goal and keep The World going strong. Every gift will get us one step closer.