While supermarkets and food outlets at some locations nationwide are pulling eggs from their shelves, a voluntary recall is apparently not affecting local stores.

This past weekend, Wright County Egg of Galt, Iowa voluntarily recalled specific dates of shell eggs produced by their farms because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The outbreak led to the recall of 228 million eggs.

Wednesday morning, the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald checked with the three major supermarket chains in the local area – Food Lion, Lowes Foods and Piggly Wiggly. Officials at the local stores said they were aware of the situation, but none carried the brand of eggs affected by the recall.

For those who shop for groceries at chains located outside the local area, they need to be aware of eggs 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). The eggs were packaged between May 16 and August 13. They have one of three plant numbers stamped on the packages: P1026, P1413 and P1946. If it’s stamped with one of those three numbers, you’ll need to look at the next three numbers. If the number is between 136 to 225, the eggs are part of the recall.

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.

The Food and Drug Administration is investigating the egg company.

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.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said about 200 cases of the strain of salmonella linked to the eggs were reported weekly during June and July, four times the normal number of such occurrences.

Advice to Consumers

Don’t eat recalled eggs or products containing recalled eggs. Recalled eggs might still be in grocery stores, restaurants, and consumers’ homes. Consumers who have recalled eggs should discard them or return them to their retailer for a refund.

Individuals who think they might have become ill from eating recalled eggs should consult their health care providers.

Keep eggs refrigerated at ≤ 45° F (≤7° C) at all times.

Discard cracked or dirty eggs.

Wash hands, cooking utensils, and food preparation surfaces with soap and water after contact with raw eggs.

Eggs should be cooked until both the white and the yolk are firm and eaten promptly after cooking.

Do not keep eggs warm or at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

Refrigerate unused or leftover egg- containing foods promptly.

Avoid eating raw eggs.

Avoid restaurant dishes made with raw or undercooked, unpasteurized eggs. Restaurants should use pasteurized eggs in any recipe (such as Hollandaise sauce or Caesar salad dressing) that calls for raw eggs.

Consumption of raw or undercooked eggs should be avoided, especially by young children, elderly persons, and persons with weakened immune systems or debilitating illness.