(TNND) — Nearly 100 people in 17 states have become sick in connection with a salmonella outbreak linked to recalled eggs, federal health officials said in an update Friday.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said 98 people became ill between Nov. 21 and June 30. Twenty-six people have been hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported.
The reported cases span the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and West Virginia.
Investigators have identified recalled white and brown shell eggs distributed by Indiana-based Midwest Poultry Services L.P. as a likely source of the outbreak, though officials said the company’s eggs do not account for every reported illness.
Midwest Poultry Services previously recalled about 1.6 million dozen eggs produced and distributed from farms in Texas between June 6 and July 3. The eggs were sold under several brand names with sell-by or best-by dates ranging from July 20 through Aug. 17.
According to the recall notice, the eggs were shipped to foodservice customers and retailers in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana, including Kroger stores in Texas and Louisiana, Brookshire Grocery stores in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Mississippi, as well as other smaller retailers.
Consumers can identify the recalled eggs by checking for plant code P-1950 or 0840962 and Julian dates 157 through 184 printed on the side of the carton.
Health officials urge consumers not to eat the recalled eggs. Instead, they should throw them away or return them to the place of purchase for a refund.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), salmonella infection can cause fever, diarrhea that may be bloody, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Symptoms typically develop six hours to six days after exposure. Young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of severe illness.