HHS HealthBeat (August 30, 2010)

What’s in the egg

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

With a massive egg recall because of salmonella, people may wonder what they can do to keep themselves safe from foodborne illness.

At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Casey Barton Behravesh says:

“Salmonella is a germ or type of bacteria that's commonly spread through contaminated food, water, or contact with infected animals. Salmonella can cause diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps in people, and this diarrhea can be so severe that a person may need to be hospitalized.”  (17 seconds)

Dr. Barton Behravesh says people should not eat recalled eggs or products containing them. She says consumers with recalled eggs should discard them or return them to their retailer for a refund. People who think recalled eggs made them ill should consult their health care providers. 

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: November 21, 2011