(FDA Press Release) Hillandale Farms of Iowa is voluntarily recalling shell eggs because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.  Eggs affected by this recall were distributed to grocery distribution centers, retail grocery stores and foodservice companies which service or are located in fourteen states, including the following: Arkansas, California, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin.

There have been laboratory-confirmed Salmonella enteritidis illnesses associated with the shell eggs; the investigation is ongoing.  Minnesota Department of Health seems to indicate that some of its 14 ill are related to Hillandale.

Eggs are distributed under the following brand names: Hillandale Farms, Sunny Farms, and Sunny Meadow in 6-egg cartons, dozen-egg cartons, 18-egg cartons, 30-egg package, and 5-dozen cases. Loose eggs are packaged under the following brand names: Wholesome Farms and West Creek in 15 and 30-dozen tray packs. The loose eggs may also be repackaged by customers.  The only eggs effected by this recall have plant numbers P1860 or P1663 and Julian dates as follows:

* P1860 – Julian dates ranging from 099 to 230 = April 9 to August 18

* P1663 – Julian dates ranging from 137 to 230 = May 17 to August 18

Note – NO mention on the amount of eggs.  

However, William Neuman of the New York Times wrote that “Hillandale’s announcement did not say how many eggs were involved. But Cal-Maine Foods, an egg producer and distributor, said that it had received about 9.6 million of the recalled eggs.”  Phil Brasher just confirmed that “[t]he Hillandale sites, one at Alden and the other at West Union, share the same source of hens as the DeCoster farms, according to sources familiar with the operations who spoke on condition of anonymity.”