No alarm about egg recall in Pa., N.J.

While 380 million eggs are part of a national recall, officials in Pennsylvania and New Jersey say residents of their states have little reason to be scared.

Although the eggs involved were sold under a lengthy list of brand names in many states, no rise in egg-related salmonella has been noticed in the region.

The recall doesn't really affect Pennsylvania, said Holly Senior, spokeswoman for the state health department.

"Nothing yet in our state," said Marilyn Riley, spokeswoman for the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services.

In Delaware, no cases have been confirmed related to the recall have been confirmed, said Heidi Pruschel-Light, spokeswoman for the state health department.

The recall grew from the discovery of several outbreaks - mostly in California, Colorado and Minnesota, said Lola Russell, a spokeswoman with the federal Centers for Disease Control.

Normally, about 50 cases of salmonella infections will be reported in a given summer week, so when the number spiked past 200 - most of it from California - investigators went into action, she said. The source was quickly identified as a major producer named Wright County Egg, based in Galt, Iowa. Through distribution centers and food companies in California, Arizona, Missouri, Minnesota, Texas, Georgia, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Nevada, Iowa, Illinois, Utah, Nebraska, Arkansas, Wisconsin and Oklahoma, Wright eggs get shipped to many states.

The company quickly agreed to the recall.

Consumers could check for the following brands: Albertson, Boomsma's, Dutch Farms, Farm Fresh, Hillandale, Kemp, Lucerne, Lund, Mountain Dairy, Ralph's, Shoreland, Sunshine and Trafficanda.

Affected carton sizes range from 6 eggs to 18. If you have one of the brands, check plant and date codes on the carton or case. Look for plant codes P-1026, P-1413, P-1720, P-1946 or P-1942, followed by three digit date codes from 136 to 229.

Recalled eggs should be returned to the point of purchase.

To avoid salmonella, consumers are advised to avoid to raw or undercooked eggs; to wash hands and objects touched by raw egg; and to refrigerate eggs and leftover foods containing them, health officials say.

Fever, cramps and diarrhea are the usual symptoms of salmonella enteritidis infections. Sometimes hospital treatment with antibiotics is needed, especially with infants, the elderly, and people who have compromised immune systems. Untreated salmonella infections reaching the bloodstream can be fatal.

Consumers with questions should visit www.eggsafety.org or call Wright County at 866-272-5582 for a message outlining recall instructions.