The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a Class 1 recall warning on thousands of eggs distributed to Costco locations in five states last month, citing a “reasonable possibility” that consuming the product could result in “serious adverse health consequences or death.”
Salmonella exposure linked to affected eggs
The affected product is the Handsome Brook Farms brand of Signature Organic Pasture-Raised 24-Count Eggs. These eggs were sold at Costco stores in Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Approximately 10,800 retail units were shipped to 25 Costco locations starting on November 22.
Although the initial recall was announced just five days after the distribution began, the FDA reclassified the recall to its highest alert level—Class 1—on Friday. This reclassification reflects the potential severity of the public health risk posed by the eggs, which are now believed to be linked to salmonella exposure.
Cause of recall of eggs and company response
Handsome Brook Farms, the company behind the eggs, explained in their November 27 statement that the recall was triggered after it was discovered that eggs intended for non-retail purposes had been improperly packaged and distributed. The company has pledged to implement stronger supply chain controls and provide retraining to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The recalled cartons are marked with the numbers 327 and P1363, and have a use-by date of January 5, 2025.
FDA urges consumers to take action
The FDA is advising consumers to avoid eating the affected eggs and recommends either returning them to Costco for a full refund or disposing of them. CNN reached out to Costco for comment on the situation but did not receive an immediate response.
Health risks of salmonella
Salmonella infection can cause severe illness, particularly in vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), common symptoms of a salmonella infection include fever, diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting. These symptoms typically appear six hours to six days after exposure and can last between four to seven days.
Children under 5, seniors over 65, and those with weakened immune systems are at an elevated risk of serious illness and may require medical treatment or hospitalization.