Salmonella Outbreak Connected to Egg Supplier Austin Jack DeCosta

The recall of 380,000,000 eggs was made after more than 1,000 cases of salmonella poisoning have been reported, and a second recall of 170,000,000 more eggs was made a week later. The tainted eggs link back to an Iowa farm and businessman.

Why is Austin "Jack" DeCoster still in business? Companies that provide food supplies to the public must be scrutinized constantly; inspections must be done on a consistent and regular basis. A fine for violations is like buying a free pass to continue endangering the health of innocent people. We are talking about human lives, disease and in some cases death. Yet, DeCoster is making millions of dollars with no regard for human life.

Quality Egg, one of DeCoster's companies, supplies feed and young chickens despite this man's long history of violations. What good is recalling eggs? Distributed eggs tainted with salmonella poisoning have already ended up in homes, restaurants and grocery stores. Eggs that have poisoned thousands with salmonella, which the federal CDC (Centers for Disease Control) has said will likely poison many more, being recalled isn't going to stop the next outbreak if the farm operations of DeCoster continue.

Austin "Jack" DeCoster is dangerous! 1997 - Robert Reich (Labor Sec. at the time) said, "...conditions were as dangerous and oppressive as any sweatshop." 2000 - DeCoster designated as a "habitual violator" by Iowa. Violations included hog manure runoff into waterways, the result, increased penalties and prohibited from building new farms. 2002 - EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) settles lawsuit against DeCoster Farms on behalf of Mexican women for rape, sexual harassment, abuse and retaliation by workers in supervisory positions. 2007 - Immigration raid resulted in 51 workers being arrested at six egg farms; a history of at least three prior raids. 2010 - Successor company to DeCoster Egg Farms fined for allegations of animal cruelty.

DeCoster and all of his farm operations need to be shut down. His record of violations is outrageous, the total disregard for human safety, health and life should ban him from providing any type of food supplies forever. The treatment of employees and animals is disheartening.

Sadly, it is probably business as usual for this profiteer. FDA Investigations may only result in more fines; meanwhile, people are ingesting contaminated food.

Signs of salmonella poisoning include, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, fever and sometimes-other more severe problems. Get more information on egg recall from CDC.

Sources:
A supplier in egg recall has history of violations By Mary Clarke Japonica (AP)