Black Sheep Egg Company has expanded its egg recall to include products from Kenz Henz, a Santa Fe, TX-based producer. The recall pertains to Kenz Henz’s 12-pack of AA pasture-raised eggs, which were sourced from Black Sheep and are suspected of having the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
The affected Kenz Henz brand eggs are packaged in cartons containing 12 eggs, identifiable by a UPC code of 86949400030. They have Julian dates ranging from 241 (August 30) to 244 (September 2), as well as 246 (September 4) to 247 (September 5). The best by dates are marked as 10/11 to 10/14 and 10/16 to 10/17. No product images were provided in connection with the recall notice.
As of now, there have been no reported illnesses stemming from this issue. However, on September 29, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began an inspection at Black Sheep Egg Company’s egg processing facility, during which they collected various environmental samples. Alarmingly, 40 of these samples tested positive for Salmonella, encompassing seven distinct strains. While some of these strains are known to cause illness in humans, the FDA has not indicated that this company is responsible for any ongoing Salmonella outbreak.
Salmonella infections can affect anyone, but certain groups—such as infants, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems—are at elevated risk of developing severe illness. According to the CDC, food contaminated with Salmonella often appears normal and can be challenging to identify.
Those who have consumed the recalled eggs and exhibit symptoms of Salmonella infection are urged to seek medical attention, informing their healthcare providers about possible exposure to salmonella. Symptoms typically occur within 12 to 72 hours and include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever. Although healthy adults generally recover within four to seven days, some cases may require hospitalization due to severe diarrhea.
It’s important to note that even individuals who are asymptomatic can still transmit the bacteria to others. This situation underscores the significance of vigilance in food safety and hygiene practices to prevent potential health risks associated with foodborne illnesses.