October 20, 2010

Hillandale Farms resumes egg trading

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorised Hillandale Farms Hillandale Farms to resume selling eggs from some of its layer houses, but it has sent a warning letter to the other egg producer.

FDA has released a redacted copy of a letter sent to the farm at Hampton, Iowa, dated October 15, 2010. Hillandale Farms is one of two companies that recalled eggs in August 2010. This letter authorises Hillandale Farms to ship eggs to the table market from three of its egg-producing houses.

FDA's decision is based upon a thorough review of the company's response to the inspection observations noted by the agency in August. In addition, the three houses have been extensively tested and found to have no evidence of Salmonella contamination. Four other houses overseen by Hillandale are undergoing further testing before consideration for shipping. Hillandale Farms has also committed to an enhanced surveillance programme for salmonella.

Hillandale Farms notified FDA that the company intends to begin shipping from the three houses on October 18, 2010.

Meanwhile, FDA has released a redacted copy of a warning letter sent on October 15, 2010 to Austin J. DeCoster, owner of Quality Egg LLC of Galt, Iowa. Quality Egg LLC is also one of two companies that recalled eggs in August 2010. Quality Egg LLC has not shipped eggs to the table market since the August recalls.

The warning letter identifies serious deviations from FDA's regulation on the safety of shell eggs with respect to biosecurity, rodent control and other measures. The letter also finds that the eggs at Quality Egg LLC are adulterated because they have been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions.