FDA Issues Class I Recall: Handsome Brook Farms’ Kirkland Signature Organic Eggs at Risk of Severe Illness or Death
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has escalated its recall of Kirkland Signature Organic Pasture-Raised Eggs, sold at Costco, to a Class I recall. This is the FDA’s highest-level recall classification, indicating a serious risk to health, including the potential for severe illness or death.
The recall, initiated by Handsome Brook Farms, headquartered in New York, involves approximately 10,800 packages of 24-count organic eggs. These products were distributed to 25 Costco stores across Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
The FDA revealed that eggs from an environment testing positive for Salmonella were inadvertently shipped to retail distribution facilities. According to Handsome Brook Farms, these eggs were never intended for retail sale but were mistakenly packaged and distributed.
Salmonella is a bacterial infection that poses significant risks to human health. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, which typically begin 6 hours to 6 days after infection. Severe cases can lead to hospitalization or even death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1.35 million illnesses, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths in the U.S. each year are caused by Salmonella infections.
If you have purchased the affected eggs, do not consume them. Return the product to the store for a full refund or safely dispose of it. Consumers experiencing symptoms of Salmonella infection after consuming these eggs should seek medical attention immediately.
In contrast, the UK’s British Lion Code of Practice has proven highly effective in eliminating Salmonella from Lion Quality eggs. Eggs marked with the British Lion logo signify they have been laid by hens vaccinated against Salmonella and produced under the highest food safety standards.
For further information about the British Lion scheme, visit their website: British Lion Scheme.