Costco Organic Eggs Recalled Over Concerns About Salmonella Contamination

More than 10,000 retail units of organic eggs are being recalled at US Costcos due to salmonella concerns.

Approximately 10,800 retail units of Kirkland Signature-branded organic, pastured eggs in 24-count cases have been recalled from Costco stores throughout the South.

Eggs from Handsome Brook Farms in New York are being recalled, according to a press release from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The boxes included in the recall were sold at 25 Costco stores in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee as of November 22, according to the FDA.

Units with Julian code 327 and an expiration date of January 5, 2025 are affected by the recall.

The recall was initiated after Handsome Brook officials discovered that eggs not intended for delivery to markets were inadvertently packaged and distributed to retailers, the FDA said.

The press release noted that retraining and supply chain controls would be initiated to prevent future incidents.

There are no known illnesses associated with the affected products.

Consumers in possession of any of the affected cartons should return the eggs to their local Costco store for a full refund or discard the eggs.

Chickens and other live poultry can carry salmonella, a bacteria that can cause diarrhea, fever, nausea and stomach cramps and lead to other, more serious health problems, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Salmonella can be transmitted from bacteria-carrying birds to their eggs, which is why eating raw or undercooked eggs can make people sick.

Improper handling of the eggs can also lead to contamination with various types of bacteria.

Chicken eggs have tiny pores in the shell, and if they come into contact with bird droppings, for example, the shells can absorb the bacteria and potentially pass it on to humans.

Eggs sold in grocery stores are washed and are usually safe to handle.

The best way to combat potential salmonella contamination from eggs is to store them at 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4.4 degrees C) or cooler, cook them rather than eat them raw, and wash your hands with soap before and after cooking and water to wash.