August 24, 2010

US salmonella-hit farms found to share same suppliers

Wright County Egg and Hillandale Farms, who have recalled more than half a billion eggs, share suppliers of chickens and feed, as well as ties to an Iowa business routinely cited for violating state and federal law.

The company Quality Egg supplies young chickens and feed to both Wright County Egg and Hillandale Farms. The two also share other suppliers, according to Jewanna Porter, a spokeswoman for the egg industry.

The Food and Drug Administration has not determined the cause of the salmonella outbreaks at the two Iowa farms. The number of illnesses is expected to increase.