Working closely with CDC and state public health partners, FDA reviewed epidemiologic and environmental investigation documents and identified three best-case clusters of Salmonella Enteritidis illnesses. FDA has activated its emergency operations command center and has deployed an initial team of 10 investigators to Wright County Egg to inspect the farms and determine the source of the contamination.

In the past, FDA has inspected egg farms under its broad authorities applicable to all food, focusing on farms linked to recalls. The egg rule, which just went into effect for large farms on July 9, 2010, provides specific requirements applicable to egg producers that will greatly facilitate compliance.