Costco has recalled organic pasture-raised, 24-count egg packs sold under the Kirkland Signature brand from 25 stores in mid-Atlantic and Southeastern states.

Eggs were packed by Handsome Brook Farms and amounted to 10,000 units inadvertently processed from a flock “potentially contaminated with Salmonella” presumably S. Enteritidis (SE).  The recall was posted by the Food and Drug Administration and relates to product packed on Julian Day 327 with a “use by date” of January 6^th 2025.

Presumably the incorrectly packed eggs were destined for breaking and pasteurization.

Decontamination of the soil of pasture suspected or known to have been contaminated with Salmonella is not possible. Subsequent flocks should be housed in decontaminated barns with impervious floors and not allowed access to contaminated pasture.  Product from the affected farm will have to be diverted from shell egg sales even if the flock passes the three sequential 1,000-egg sample assay that is grossly insensitive and colloquially referred to as “Salmonella roulette”.  Consumption of eggs containing SE bacteria introduced by the transovarial or transoviductal route may lead to infection of consumers if eggs are subjected to thermal abuse or are inadequately cooked.