Food Safety Focus (50th Issue, September 2010) – Food Incident Highlight

Salmonella in Shell Eggs

Since May 2010, the number of Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) infections has increased in the United States . According to the investigation, two potential sources of contaminated shell eggs have been identified, namely Wright County Egg and Hillandale Farms.

Salmonella can be found both on the surface and inside of shell eggs. A number of Salmonella species can cause food poisoning in humans. The symptoms include nausea, fever, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and sometimes vomiting.

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) has alerted the trade and responses from local egg traders indicated no affected eggs have been imported to Hong Kong . The CFS has also followed-up the incident with the U.S. authorities. According to the U.S. Consulate General, there was no known export of affected shell eggs to Hong Kong. Nonetheless, the CFS advises consumers not to consume raw or undercooked eggs in order to minimise the risk of SE.