Hard-boiled eggs cause major recalls due to Listeriosis

On December 20, the CDC reported Listeria illnesses and a death in five states (Texas, Florida, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Maine), linked to Almark Foods hard-boiled eggs. These products were packaged in plastic pails for use nationwide by foodservice operators. In its investigation CDC  showed, using WGS,  that bacteria isolated from ill people are closely related genetically.  In the PulseNet database, CDC noted two environmental samples from February 2019 that are closely related genetically to bacteria from ill people in this outbreak.

 

On December 23, 2019, Almark Foods expanded its voluntary recall to include all hard-boiled eggs manufactured at its Gainesville, Georgia facility. The product is associated with an outbreak of Listeriosis illness is linked to 7 known illnesses, including one death (in Texas) and four hospitalizations. 

 

These eggs were used as an ingredient in a variety of products. Currently, Almark Foods is no longer producing products from this facility. Companies who received recalled product from Almark Foods have initiated recalls of products containing these eggs. Additional companies and products may be added as the investigation continues.

Bakkavor Foods (Trader Joe’s Egg Salad and Potato Salad) recalled  Trader Joe’s Egg Salad, 6 oz, and Trader Joe’s Old Fashioned Potato Salad, 20 oz because Almark Foods supplied the eggs used. Products were distributed to Trader Joe’s retail stores in Alabama, Connecticut, DC, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, and Wisconsin. To date, there have been no confirmed illnesses related to this product.

Diebergs Kitchen (Diebergs Market products) recalled various products in all 25 retail stores due to the recent recall by Almark of its hardboiled eggs. No illnesses are linked to Dierbergs products to date. Recalled products include potato salads, egg salads, Remoulade, Salad Togo Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad, and Salad Togo Classic Ham & Turkey Chef Salad. All of the implicated products have been removed from store shelves. The product was distributed to all Dierbergs Markets retail locations in eastern and central Missouri and western Illinois.

Reichel Foods (Pro2Snax To The Max)recalled Pro2Snax To The Max Granny Apples /Hard-Boiled Egg/Cheddar/Cashew & Craisin and Pro2Snax To The Max Gala Apples/Hard-Boiled Egg/White Cheddar/Almond & Craisin. These items were distributed to retailers nationwide. Almark Foods have supplied single serve prepackaged Hard Boiled Eggs that might be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

 

Great American Deli of Ooltewah, Tennessee recalled Egg Salad Sandwich. Almark Foods is an ingredient supplier to one of Great American Deli’s suppliers, Knott’s Fine Foods, that provides egg salad to Great American Deli. The affected product has been delivered to convenience stores, micro markets and vending machines in Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Pennsylvania.

 

The FDA reported that Whole-genome sequencing of the Listeria monocytogenes found in environmental samples collected at the Almark processing facility during FDA inspections conducted in February 2019 and December 2019 are a genetic match to the outbreak strain. This outbreak strain was found during environmental sampling in 2017 of one other food facility. That facility is not currently handling food and ceased operation in 2018. 

 

The recall now includes hard-boiled eggs sold at Costco, Walmart, Kroger, Trader Joe’s, and up 30 other brands. Eggs from a variety of brands, including brands like Eggland’s Best, Pete & Gerry’s, and Vital Farms, are included in the recall.