The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has raised the alert level for a recent egg recall at Costco due to concerns about salmonella contamination.
The FDA announced on Monday that the recall is now classified as “Class I,” the most serious type of recall. This means there’s a high chance that using or eating the affected product could lead to serious health issues or even death.
This recall involves 10,800 cartons of organic eggs sold at Costcos in the southern U.S., which were pulled from shelves a month ago. The eggs were sold in 24-count cartons under Costco’s Kirkland Signature brand. They were distributed by Handsome Brook Farms in New York, which discovered that some eggs could be contaminated with salmonella.
Salmonella is a harmful bacteria found in the intestines of animals and humans. It can cause food poisoning and is often linked to raw or undercooked foods like meat, poultry, eggs, and unpasteurized dairy. It can also spread to fruits and vegetables through contaminated fertilizers.
The recalled eggs were sold at 25 Costco locations in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee starting on November 22. The affected cartons have the Julian code 327 and a “use by” date of January 5, 2025.
Handsome Brook Farms found that eggs not meant for store shelves were accidentally packaged and shipped to retailers. So far, no one has reported getting sick from these eggs. Customers who bought the eggs can return them to Costco for a refund or throw them away.
Food recalls have been happening more frequently recently. Earlier this month, Frito-Lay recalled some Lay’s Classic Potato Chips because they may contain milk, which wasn’t listed on the label. This could be dangerous for people with severe milk allergies.
The FDA also recalled dog treats sold by Carolina Prime Pet, Inc., due to salmonella risks. In September, Lactaid Milk and some macaroni and cheese products were recalled for potential contamination issues.