A Listeria recall of more than 150,000 pounds of eggs in brine sold for institutional use in 34 states is causing a string of derivative recalls by supermarket chains who have used the eggs in various salads, sandwich spreads, deviled eggs and other dishes sold at in-store deli stands.
At least seventeen retailers have announced recalls of egg-related deli items and Michael Foods Inc., the Minnesota company behind core recall of eggs sold in pails, said it is working with its customers to make sure all related products are removed from the market. Consumers who believe they might have purchased product affected by the recall, or those who are unsure, should contact the original place of purchase, Michael Foods said.
“Food distributors and manufacturers who purchased the eggs could have used them in products that were sold to retail outlets or used in foodservice settings,” the company said.
These are the recalls associated with the eggs:
- Dierbergs pulls hard-cooked egg products on January 27, 2012. Their supplier is Hawkeye Foods. Michael Foods Inc. is not mentioned in this recall, but on Company Data Base the two are linked.
- In Michigan, 18th Street Deli recalled salad products because of the Michael Foods Inc. recall.
- Sysco Quality Assurance informed its customers that the eggs were under a recall in an internal memo.
- In Grand Rapids, Michigan, Spartan Stores announced a recall of eight deli products containing the hard-cooked eggs recalled by Michael Foods.
- US Foods reports that Michael Foods Inc. has issued a Class 1 voluntary recall of Papetti’s Brand hard-cooked eggs.
- On February 1, 2012, Michael Foods announces it’s recalling hard-cooked eggs packed in brine.
- Super 1 Foods, which operates supermarkets in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas, has recalled deli potato salad made with Michael eggs.
- Brookshire’s Food and Pharmacy recalls potato salads on February 2, 2012.
- Kroger also announced a potato salad recall at four of its supermarket chains.
- In New York, Wegmans Food Markets is recalling hard-boiled eggs and egg products, including deviled eggs and Cobb salad.
- Allison’s Gourmet Kitchen and Greencore USA announce recalls of products made with the hard-cooked eggs. The Allison’s Kitchen recall covers more than 40 items.
- Greencore USA also recalled 550 pounds of egg salad sandwiches on February 3, 2012.
- GH Foods SW is recalling 515 pounds of Cobb salads made with the recalled eggs.
- F&S Produce Company Inc. recalls about 389 pounds of Cobb salad and spinach salad produced by Michael Foods Egg Products Co.
- GH Foods CA, LLC recalls egg salad sandwiches and tuna salad sandwiches because they contain Michael Foods hard-cooked eggs.
- Delhaize America stores recalled potato salads on February 5, 2012. The salads were distributed by Reser’s Foods and used hard-cooked eggs. The stores involved include Bloom, Bottom Dollar Food, Food Lion, Reid’s, and Sweetbay.
- On February 7, 2012, Harold Food Company recalled 1,200 pounds of chicken salad made with the hard-cooked eggs.
- On February 8, 2012, Grand Strand Sandwich Company recalls chicken salad sandwiches that may contain hard cooked eggs produced by Michael Foods.
No reported cases of listeriosis have been linked to the eggs. Listeria is potentially lethal bacteria in humans and is banned by federal law from ready-to-eat foods. Last year’s biggest food poisoning story in the United States was a cantaloupe Listeria outbreak that killed 32 people and sickened more than 145.
Michael Foods announced an initial recall of eggs January 26 after lab testing revealed that some of the eggs within the recalled lot dates may have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recall was greatly expanded this week to include 15,000 pails of eggs in brine sold in counts of 10- or 25-pounds. The eggs carry six brand names: Columbia Valley Farms, GFS, Glenview Farms, Papetti’s, Silverbrook and Wholesome Farms.
The company said the recalled eggs were produced at its plant in Wakefield, Nebraska. Investigation indicated the contamination is likely related to “a specific repair project that took place in the packaging room.” The company said it has taken a number of corrective steps to address the issue and prevent recurrence.
