Aug 18, 2010 11:51 AM

Wright County Egg of Galt IA is voluntarily recalling specific Julian dates of shell eggs produced by its farms because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, a foodborne bacteria. The company is making this voluntary recall of products because testing at the company’s farm showed some of the eggs may contain the bacteria.

The recall involves 228 million eggs produced in Galt and distributed to wholesalers and foodservice companies in California, Illinois, Missouri, Colorado, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. These firms distribute nationwide.

Consumers should return the eggs in the original carton to the store where they were purchased for a full refund.

Eggs are packaged under these brand names: Lucerne, Albertson, Mountain Dairy, Ralph’s, Boomsma’s, Sunshine, Hillandale, Trafficanda, Farm Fresh, Shoreland, Lund, Dutch Farms, and Kemps. Eggs are packed in varying sizes of cartons (six-egg cartons, dozen-egg cartons, 18-egg cartons) with Julian dates ranging from 136 to 225 and plant numbers 1026, 1413, and 1946. Dates and codes can be found stamped on the end of the egg carton. The plant number begins with the letter P and then the number. The Julian date follows the plant number, for example: P-1946 223.

Consumers are reminded that properly storing, handling, and cooking eggs should help prevent foodborne illness. The Egg Safety Center and the Food and Drug Administration recommend that eggs should be fully cooked until both the yolks and the whites are firm, and consumers should not eat foods that may contain raw or undercooked eggs. For more information, visit www.eggsafety.org.