Inspections found recalled egg farms filthy, full of maggots and manure

Friday, September 03, 2010 by: Ethan A. Huff, staff writer
Tags: eggs, inspections, health news

(NaturalNews) U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspection reports have revealed that the two egg producers implicated in the current egg recall have been running operations conducive to contamination -- and in clear violation of the law. The reports highlight filthy conditions at both the Wright County Egg and Hillandale Farms egg production facilities in Iowa, which include infestations of wild birds, rodents, and maggots, as well as massive manure pileups.

Inspectors also observed hens running free outside their cages tracking manure everywhere, holes in the walls and foundation where other creatures were able to enter, mice running in and throughout the facilities, and workers who failed to practice even basic cleanliness and safety protocol.

Last week, officials found salmonella in six different samples taken from the various facilities. These included two taken from chicken feed and four taken from walkways and other areas around the facilities. The animal bone meal used to feed the hens, for instance, was contaminated with nesting materials, and tested positive for salmonella. But this week, officials actually found salmonella in the water used to wash the eggs.

"We are in the process of analyzing this evidence and considering what enforcement actions would be appropriate," explained Michael R. Taylor, deputy commissioner of food at the FDA, in a recent New York Times article.

According to reports, Jack DeCoster, owner of Wright County Egg, has been implicated in many previous violations of safety, labor and immigration laws. Peter DeCoster, son of Jack DeCoster, is currently the chief operating officer at the Iowa facilities.

Rather than shut down the facilities altogether, however, the FDA is allowing the two companies to send their contaminated eggs to breaking plants instead, where they are being pasteurized and sold in liquid form to food manufacturers.

Sources for this story include:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/31/business/3...