DeLauro Seeks Answers on Salmonella Outbreak Tied to Shelled Eggs

WASHINGTON, DC (April 19, 2018) - Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today wrote a letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D., requesting additional information on the investigation of a Salmonella outbreak related to shelled eggs, which is now responsible for 23 infections, including 6 hospitalizations, across 9 states.

"Last week, Rose Acre Farms voluntarily recalled 206,749,248 eggs because of possible contamination with Salmonella Braenderup," wrote DeLauro. "FDA records reveal that the company's Hyde County location was inspected in the weeks leading up to the recall – from March 26 to April 11, 2018. The reports show serious violations of food safety standards that are designed to safeguard public health. Consumers and their families deserve a safe food supply, and that requires that FDA act adequately and timely to address problems that may lead to product contamination and foodborne illnesses."

"The size of this recall makes it the largest since a similar, egg-related Salmonella outbreak in 2010," continued DeLauro. "The 2010 outbreak shed light on deficiencies with federal oversight of egg production and prompted FDA and USDA to address such shortfalls. This most recent outbreak gives us an opportunity to evaluate if those actions were sufficient, or whether additional steps need to be taken."

A copy of the full letter can be found here.