Midwest Poultry Services Recalls 1.6 Million Dozen Eggs Over Salmonella Risk

Eggs are a powerhouse of nutrients, containing a wide range of essential nutrients, including protein, vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, and more. And this rich source of nutrients is under threat. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Midwest Poultry Services is ‌recalling nearly 1.6 million dozen white shell eggs and brown cage-free shell eggs produced in Texas, as they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis, states a Reuters report.

Where are these eggs available

The recalled eggs were available at Kroger (KR.N) Texas and Louisiana and Brookshire Grocery stores in states including Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Mississippi, the FDA states. The brands have not reacted to the news report yet, and the good news is that there have been no illnesses reported linked to the Midwest Poultry Services eggs as of the announcement, the FDA added. According to the FDA, Midwest Poultry Services has halted distributing eggs produced on its Texas farms.

What is Salmonella

Salmonella is a group of bacteria that is one of the most common causes of foodborne illness worldwide. According to experts, people get infected by consuming contaminated food or water, particularly undercooked poultry, eggs, meat, unpasteurized dairy products, or raw fruits and vegetables that have come into contact with the bacteria. Once inside the body, Salmonella infects the intestines, causing an illness known as salmonellosis, which typically leads to diarrhoea, fever, stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting.

When does the symptom appear

According to experts, the symptoms usually appear within 6 hours to 6 days after exposure and, in most healthy individuals, resolve within four to seven days. However, infants, older adults, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of severe infection that may require medical treatment.

What make eggs such a popular food

It is said that one egg yolk contains around 55 calories along with other essential nutrients, including vitamins (A, D, E, K, B vitamins), minerals (iron, phosphorus, zinc), and healthy fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids. Also, egg yolks are one of the best dietary sources of choline, a nutrient important for brain health, liver function, and metabolism. As per experts, one egg yolk provides 147 mg of choline.

What make eggs such a popular food

According to a study titled "Egg Yolk as a New Source of Peptides with Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties," egg yolk is rich in bioactive peptides and proteins such as phosvitin, lysozyme, and cystatin, which have antioxidant, antimicrobial, antihypertensive, immunomodulatory, and anti-cancer activities. It is also mentions that eggs are traditionally considered as a natural source of compounds with antioxidant properties, including several proteins, phospholipids, and certain micronutrients such as vitamin E, vitamin A, selenium, and carotenoids. It is mostly known from lecithin, which is widely used as a lubricant, surfactant, and emulsifying agent. Egg yolk can also provide lysozyme, cystatin, avidin, phosvitin, and phospholipids. And on the other hand, egg whites contain protease inhibitors that might decrease amino acid digestibility. However, these can be easily destroyed by heat, highlighting the importance of cooked eggs being a better source of bioavailable protein. It is also proven that egg whites offer antioxidant, anti-fatigue, visceral fat reduction, muscle-building, and gut health benefits. Also, egg whites do not contain cholesterol, which may be beneficial for individuals with high cholesterol levels or heart disease risk factors.