Moark, LLC - NEWS RELEASE - August 22, 2010

For more information contact: Jeanne Forbis 651-481-2071 or 612-308-5441 (cell)

Moark, LLC, of Fontana, California, Recalls Shell Eggs Supplied
From Hillandale Farms of Iowa Because of Possible Health Risk
Moark, LLC, is voluntarily recalling specific lots of shell eggs produced by Hillandale Farms of Iowa and packaged by Moark, LLC, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

Potentially affected eggs that were received by Moark total approximately 24,300 dozen.  Moark repackaged the eggs for retail customers (under the brand names Albertsons, Yucaipa Valley, Farmer’s Gems and Mountain Dairy), as well as providing unbranded eggs to foodservice customers.  The eggs were sold by Moark to retail and wholesale customers in Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada.

The products being recalled have the following information stamped on the egg packaging:

Julian Dates and Plant Numbers (which begin with the letter P) can be found printed on the egg packaging.  For example 187 P-1156.

"Moark has been carefully monitoring the situation with Hillandale Farms of Iowa, and once we were notified that Moark had received eggs from this producer, we immediately notified customers to ensure that any eggs included in the recall were withdrawn from the marketplace.  We also immediately informed the Food and Drug Administration,” said Craig Willardson, President and CEO of Moark, LLC. "None of the eggs were produced at Moark facilities or operations," he added.

Consumers who believe they may have purchased potentially affected shell eggs should not eat them but should return them to the store where they were purchased for a full refund. Consumers with questions may call the toll-free telephone number 866-757-EGGS (3447) for more information or visit www.eggsafety.org.

Hillandale Farms of Iowa’s recall press release indicates that there have been laboratory-confirmed Salmonella Enteriditis illnesses with the shell eggs from Hillandale Farms of Iowa, and the investigation is ongoing. Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.  Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.  In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis or arthritis.

For a complete listing of known brands, codes and dates involved in the egg recall, please visit the Egg Safety Center website at www.eggsafety.org.  The Egg Safety Center and the FDA recommend that eggs should be fully cooked until both the yolks and the whites are firm, and consumers should not eat foods that may contain raw or undercooked eggs.  For more information on proper handling and preparation of eggs and answers to other frequently asked questions, visit www.eggsafety.org.

Moark is a leading marketer of shell eggs in the United States through a quality supply/distribution network of branded, specialty, and private label eggs in key locations. 

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Egg Recall Information     August 13th, 2010

Wright County Egg, of Galt, Iowa, is conducting a nationwide voluntary recall of shell eggs because of possible health risk. The eggs have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella (Wright County Egg’s full news release is provided below).

MoArk purchased finished carton product from Wright County Eggs for distribution to Southern California customers, primarily Kroger (Ralphs and Food 4 Less) and Albertsons. The Wright County eggs distributed by MoArk are packaged under the following brand names: Albertson’s, Mountain Dairy and Ralph's.

Consumers should check the code on the short end of the carton. If the code includes P1026, P1413 or P1946, the product is included in the recall. Consumers that purchased eggs that are part of the recall should please return the product to the store where the product was purchased for a complete refund.

If a consumer believes they have consumed affected eggs and are sick, they should seek medical attention immediately. Consumers with questions may call the toll-free telephone number 866-757-EGGS (3447) for more information.

News Release from Wright County Egg

Media Statement: Wright County Egg Conducts Nationwide Voluntary Recalls of Shell Eggs Because of Possible Health Risk

GALT, Iowa, Aug. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The following statement was released by officials of Wright County Egg regarding the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) on-farm records review and egg testing for Salmonella.

Wright County Egg of Galt, Iowa is voluntarily recalling specific Julian dates of shell eggs produced by their farms because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis or arthritis.

Eggs affected by this recall were distributed to food wholesalers, distribution centers and foodservice companies in California, Illinois, Missouri, Colorado, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. These companies distribute nationwide.

Eggs are packaged under the following brand names: Lucerne, Albertson, Mountain Dairy, Ralph's, Boomsma's, Sunshine, Hillandale, Trafficanda, Farm Fresh, Shoreland, Lund, Dutch Farms and Kemps. Eggs are packed in varying sizes of cartons (6-egg cartons, dozen egg cartons, 18-egg cartons) with Julian dates ranging from 136 to 225 and plant numbers 1026, 1413 and 1946. Dates and codes can be found stamped on the end of the egg carton. The plant number begins with the letter P and then the number. The Julian date follows the plant number, for example: P-1946 223.

There have been confirmed Salmonella enteritidis illnesses relating to the shell eggs and traceback investigations are ongoing.

Wright County Egg is fully cooperating with FDA's investigation by undertaking this voluntary recall. Our primary concern is keeping Salmonella out of the food supply and away from consumers. As a precautionary measure, Wright County Egg also has decided to divert its existing inventory of shell eggs to a breaker, where they will be pasteurized to kill any Salmonella bacteria present.

Consumers who believe they may have purchased these shell eggs should not eat them but should return them to the store where they were purchased for a full refund. This recall is of shell eggs only. Other egg products produced by Wright County Eggs are not affected. Consumers with questions should visit www.eggsafety.org.
Our farm strives to provide our customers with safe, high-quality eggs – that is our responsibility and our commitment.

SOURCE Wright County Egg