A California egg farm has been identified by local health officials as the suspected source of a Salmonella outbreak that has sickened more than 20 people.
San Diego-based Happy Hens was traced by investigators after customers reportedly became ill after eating mayonnaise from a Ramona delicatessen. Officials said the mayonnaise had been prepared with the farm’s raw, unpasteurized eggs.
Ramona Family Naturals Market has since stopped using raw eggs in any of its food products. The outbreak, which dates back to July 28, has been linked to 21 illnesses and seven hospitalizations.
Happy Hens has strongly pushed back against the claim that its eggs are responsible for the outbreak.
“They’ve publicly announced this information, 100% unfounded, not a shred of evidence, not a shred of testing done,” Chloe Nevarez said in an Instagram post. “So again, I hope you guys realize what your food system does and what’s going on here, because this is literally outlandish the things that are happening.”
Nevarez runs Happy Hens alongside her husband, Luie Nevarez.
“I hope you guys make your choices and don’t allow fear to be what drives you. Make your decisions based on your own understanding of your own elements because the things that are put out into the world are not always true,” she added.
San Diego County’s Department of Environmental Health and Quality said it has contacted retail food businesses that may have received eggs from Happy Hens as part of the ongoing response.
The outbreak is not linked to the Midwest Poultry Services Salmonella outbreak that was connected to a recall.
Anyone who experiences symptoms like diarrhea, fever, or abdominal cramps after eating undercooked eggs should seek medical advice and report the illness to the County Department of Environmental Health and Quality at (858) 505‑6814 or via the online form, according to the public health department.
Symptoms typically begin 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food and can last four to seven days.
The California Post reached out to the Nevarez family and the San Diego Department of Public Health for comment.
