Egg Recall Affects Safeway Shoppers, Not Other Area Supermarkets

Some San Ramon shoppers may feel the impact of a recent nationwide recall of 380 million eggs, which comes after several hundred cases of salmonella were linked to an Iowa company's product.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 13 brands were involved in Friday's recall of products from the company Wright County Egg, based in Galt, Iowa.

One of the included brands was Lucerne, which is carried in Safeway supermarkets.

Cheryl Schaller, part of Customer Service at the San Ramon Safeway on Bollinger Canyon Road, said eggs pertaining to the recall were taken off the shelves, and the store would give full refunds to any customers who brought back recalled eggs, with or without the receipt.

The same applies to customers who purchased recalled eggs at the San Ramon Valley Boulevard Safeway.

But San Ramon residents who purchase eggs from other local supermarkets reportedly need not worry about the recall.

Nob Hill in the San Ramon Marketplace does not receive eggs from any of the suppliers involved in the recall, said Anthony Lasala, the night manager. But the store is still accommodating concerned customers.

"We're taking (eggs) back if customers don't feel comfortable, but our products are not part of the recall," said Lasala.

Managers from Whole Foods Market and Lucky Supermarkets in San Ramon also said they did not carry any of the brands of recalled eggs.

Wright County Egg began a voluntary recall of some 228 million eggs on Aug. 13, but on Wednesday the recall was expanded to encompass a total of 380 million eggs produced at five different plants.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention website reports that the increase in salmonella cases began in May. The outbreaks were eventually traced back to the Wright County Eggs, which is still under an investigation by the disease control agency.

Salmonella bacteria, the most common form of food poisoning, can be killed when eggs are thoroughly cooked. But health officials recommend that consumers throw out or return any eggs that are part of the recall.

According to the CDC, common symptoms of a salmonella infection include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, and though most people recover within a week, the sickness can be dangerous for the elderly and young.

To see the full list of affected brands, along with the specified Julian dates and plant numbers of the recalled egg cartons, click here.