At least 79 people have been sickened by a Salmonella outbreak linked to organic and cage-free eggs, distributed under various brand names across nine U.S. states. The eggs were processed by the August Egg Company in Hilmar, Calif., according to the Food and Drug Administration. On June 6, after FDA tests discovered the bacterium, the company issued a wide recall.
The recall is just the latest in a string of callbacks linked to Salmonella contamination. On June 4 TGD Cuts of Jessup, Md., recalled cucumber and salsa products. And in late May the FDA urged consumers to follow a recall of tomatoes that were packaged and shipped by various companies.
What is Salmonella, how can it make you sick, and how can you minimize your chances of getting it? Here are some basics.
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What is Salmonella, and how does it spread?
Salmonella is a bacterium that thrives in the intestinal tracts of certain animals, including chickens and cows—and humans. It is shed through feces.
Like many foodborne pathogens, Salmonella is often spread by improper cleaning or handling of raw food—including meat, eggs, seafood, vegetables, fruits and rice—at farms or factories. It is often associated with chicken and eggs, although past outbreaks have also been linked to peanut butter, raw pork and beef, cucumbers and even raw flour in cookie dough. When compromised products are shipped, stores and consumers may be unaware of the contamination until enough people start to become sick and investigators trace the source back to specific food lots. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 48 million Americans get sick from food each year.
What are the symptoms of Salmonella food poisoning?
You may begin to feel sick anywhere from eight to 72 hours after you are exposed. As the bacteria multiply, they can cause stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting and fever. Children under age five often account for a large percentage of cases in a Salmonella outbreak, and older people or those with a weakened immune system are at greater risk. In rare cases, people develop joint pain or eye irritation.
How is it treated?
Infections often clear within three or four days. But if you experience diarrhea that lasts for more than two days or your body temperature rises above 102 degrees Fahrenheit (39 degrees Celsius), health officials urge that you should see a doctor. Complications such as diarrhea can cause dehydration, so drink plenty of fluids.
How can I minimize my chances of getting Salmonella?
Contaminated food is the chief source of infection, so never eat raw foods that can carry the bacterium. Refrigerate eggs or other susceptible foods at 40 degrees F (four degrees C) or less. When preparing meals, use separate cutting boards and knives for meats and vegetables and thoroughly wash cooking equipment—as well as kitchen surfaces and your hands after prep. Microwave dishwashing sponges on high. Cook ground meat and eggs to at least 160 degrees F (71 degrees C).
Should I stop kissing my own chickens?
Birds, hedgehogs, turtles, guinea pigs and even pet bearded dragons can carry Salmonella and make you sick through direct contact, according to a 2024 Scientific American story. A trend among homeowners to raise chickens in the backyard, which expanded during the COVID pandemic, has also been a culprit in people becoming infected by the bacterium. Salmonella bacteria can linger on an animal’s skin, so regardless of how cute you think your chickens are, try not to snuggle or kiss them (which evidently is a thing)!
