Massive Egg Recall Stemming from Listeria Outbreak

In December 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) began warning consumers because of a link between hard-boiled eggs and a deadly Listeria outbreak. When we posted our article, “Hard-Boiled Eggs Linked to Deadly Listeria Outbreak affecting Five States,” the investigation into the outbreak was relatively recent.

Now, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert. The alert relates to the Listeria outbreak and the cause. The health alert states that,

“CDC, FDA and public health and regulatory officials in several states are investigating a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to hard-boiled egg products produced by Almark Foods.”

Hard-Boiled Egg Producer Linked to Listeria Outbreak

Officials are warning consumers to avoid purchasing or consuming ready-to-eat hard-boiled egg products because they may contain Listeria. Many products sold at popular retailers contain hard-boiled eggs from outside vendors, including Almark Foods. Almark Foods is the company at the center of the massive egg recall. In February 2019 and December 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found Listeria monocytogenes on samples taken from Almark Foods in Gainesville, Georgia.

The FDA samples were genetically matched to the strain of Listeria that has caused several illnesses across several states. Consequently, consumers were urged to be cautious of hard-boiled egg products. Now, however, Almark is voluntarily recalling all of their hard-boiled eggs that are made at the Gainesville facility.

The Gainesville Almark facility produces around 1.2 million eggs per day. Almark packages products in pails for bulk distribution. Some products are also shipped to other companies for use in their products. The FDA is monitoring the situation and has a lengthy list of products included in this egg recall. The investigation into potentially contaminated products is ongoing. Therefore, consumers are urged to avoid hard-boiled eggs from retailers or restaurants unless they can verify where the eggs came from.

Egg Recall Affects Dozens of Brands and Retailers

So far, there are more than 30 brands affected by this egg recall. Some of the products involved in this egg recall are packaged under well-known and popular brands. Some of the brands affected include:

Almark Foods
Dairy Fresh
Egglands Best
Fresh Thyme
Great Day
Inspired Organics
Kroger
LIDL
Peckish
Simple Truth Organics
Rainbow Farms
Vital Farms

Several popular retailers are also affected by this egg recall. Consumers should use caution when purchasing products containing hard-boiled eggs from retailers:

Costco
Kroger
LIDL
Wal-Mart
Fresh Thyme
Sprouts Farmers Market
Trader Joe’s
Wal-Mart
Whole Foods

Because Almark eggs are widely available, and because Almark has several facilities, consumers should look carefully at the label before purchasing hard-boiled eggs or products containing them. If the code on the package starts with a “G”, the eggs are made at the Gainesville facility. Above all, consumers should not purchase or consume these products.

FSIS Identifies Products Containing Almark Foods Eggs

As the investigation continues, the FDA and FSIS are identifying products that may be dangerous. Moreover, the list of affected products continues to grow, causing concern.

Cheesewich Bacon N Eggs

One such product is “Bacon N Eggs” products, a ready-to-eat breakfast product. This product has a brand name of Cheesewich, and is sold at retailers and convenience stores. The FSIS has issued a recall notice for this product and confirms it contains eggs distributed by Almark Foods.

Consumers can identify the Cheesewich products by the following:

Cheesewich Ready to Eat Bacon N Eggs
6 oz plastic packages
Use by dates – 12/27/19, 1/3/20, 1/23/20, 1/30/20, 2/5/20, 2/6/20, 2/14/20, 2/19/20 and 2/28/20.
Lot codes – 281191, 302191, 309191, 316191, 336191, 323191, 331191, 336191, 344191.
Establishment number – P-45301 inside the USDA inspection mark.

Cheesewich products are sold at retailers, convenience stores and online. Such retailers include Wal-Mart, Costco and Amazon.

Veggie Noodle Co. Ramen

Veggie Noodle Co. is voluntarily recalling ramen products because the egg in the kit may be contaminated with Listeria. The product is Cece’s Veggie Co. Fresh Veggie Ramen with Chicken Broth. This product includes a separate package containing an egg. Almark Foods is the source of the egg.

Veggie Noodle Co. is recalling all lots of the product with all expiration dates. Consumers can identify the product by the following:

Cece’s Veggie Co. Fresh Veggie Ramen with Chicken Broth
5 oz package
UPC 5228700653

The ramen product is available at Whole Foods, Sprouts Farmers Market, Costco and Albertsons. Due to the risk, consumers with this particular product and UPC should not consume the product.

FiveStar Gourmet Foods MiniMeal2Go

FiveStar Gourmet Foods is voluntarily recalling two products over concerns about Listeria-contaminated eggs. The company received an alert from Almark Foods that they may have supplied hard-boiled egg products to them for further manufacturing. Out of an abundance of caution, FiveStar is recalling the following products:

MiniMeal2Go – ProteinPack

6/8.25 oz plastic package
Best by dates – 12/26/19,12/27/19, 12/30/19,12/31/19, 01/01/20,01/06/20
Lot numbers – 34619,34719, 35019,35119, 35219,35719
UPC – 8-50012-79311-3

MiniMeal2Go – Avocado Toast

6/6/75 oz plastic package
Best by dates – 12/26/19,12/27/19, 12/30/19,12/31/19, 01/01/20,01/06/20
Lot numbers – 34619,34719, 35019,35119, 35219,35719
UPC – 8-50012-79315-1

FiveStar distributes these products to several states including Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky.

Update: Listeria Outbreak Information

The CDC continues to monitor the Listeria outbreak. So far, there are seven cases across five states. Those states are Texas, Florida, South Carolina, Pennsylvania and Maine.

The CDC reports that four people have required hospitalization. There is also at least one death as a result of Listeria infection. There may be more illnesses due to this egg recall that have not been reported to the FDA or CDC. Anyone who eats hard-boiled eggs and develops symptoms of Listeria infection should contact their healthcare provider right away.

Consumers who have questions about this egg recall or the Listeria outbreak can certainly reach out to the CDC or the FDA. Even more important, consumers can report illness through MedWatch: The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program. This is important because the CDC and FDA need to track the status of the outbreak.

Consumers can also stay tuned to Bad Food Recall to learn more about the Listeria outbreak and what to do about foodborne illness.

Sources: