Eggs Test Positive For Salmonella In Farm From Washington State – Hens Eat Rodent Droppings

The Washington State Department of Agriculture warned this week that people stop eating any eggs produced by Daizen Farms of Burlington, Wa.

Photo by whatscookingamerica.net.

“The eggs were produced by hens that ate feed contaminated with rodent droppings. Laboratory testing confirms that the feed contained Salmonella,” said the WSDA.

Agency inspectors also said that they saw rodent droppings inside an egg-washing machine during use, and that the eggs on the farm were also packaged under unsanitary conditions.

The WSDA and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cooperated on a joint investigation of Daizen Farms after becoming aware of heavy rodent activity during a recent routine FDA inspection.

To prevent exposure to the public, on March 8, 2012, the WSDA placed an embargo on the sale of all current eggs from the farm. The agency also placed embargoes on all future eggs produced from the farm.

Both agencies fear that the Salmonella-contaminated chicken feed increased the likelihood of the hens laying contaminated eggs.

Salmonella can exist both on the outside and inside of an egg that appears perfectly normal, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which adds that, “The larger the number of Salmonella bacteria present in the egg, the more likely the egg is to cause illness.”

Public health officials – so far – haven’t linked anyone to becoming sick from the eggs, but consumers are being reminded to thoroughly cook all eggs, regardless of the source to reduce the risk of food borne illness.

Daizen Farm eggs are sold in 15-dozen flats and one-dozen consumer cartons. None of the egg packages contain any date. The WSDA warning applies to all eggs produced by Daizen Farms.

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