WASHINGTON — Nearly 5,000 pounds of liquid eggs have been recalled because cartons for a different product were accidentally used, meaning there is a danger of undeclared allergens.
The recall for 4,620 pounds of liquid egg products comes from Minnesota-based M.G. Waldbaum, which does business as Michael Foods, Inc., according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The affected breakfast items were produced on June 11.
The recall includes all 32 oz. cartons of “FAIR MEADOW Foundations WHOLE EGGS with CITRIC ACID” with a use by date of "16 SEP 24." The affected products also have the lot code 4162G.
The mislabeled eggs were shipped to restaurants and other institutions in Alabama, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina, and Utah.
According to the Dept. of Agriculture, a problem was discovered when the company was conducting a routine inventory check. M.G. Waldbaum contacted the department's Food Safety Inspection Service after discovering that some cartons of the egg product with citric acid were missing.
A search revealed a corresponding excess of the company's "Breakfast Blend Scrambled Egg" cartons in the inventory.
Officials determined that the citric acid cartons had inadvertently been used to package a run of the breakfast blend, meaning that any citric acid cartons used in that production run actually contained milk, despite the label not listing it as one of the ingredients.
Milk is one of the most common allergies in children. While most outgrow it, the Mayo Clinic recommends that children and adults who do not outgrow it avoid milk and other dairy products.
There have been no confirmed reports of allergic reactions because of the contaminated eggs, but anybody concerned about a possible reaction should contact their healthcare provider.
The Dept. of Agriculture said it is possible some of the egg product may be in the refrigerators of restaurants and other institutions. The affected products should not be used, and should be thrown away or returned to where they were purchased for a refund.
