State officials in Maine have recalled eggs produced by Rainbow Farm located in Orland, in Hancock County, Maine.  Eggs were distributed at farmers’ markets in the area in addition to online distribution through FarmDrop.  The farm operated by Noah and Lorelei Cimeno claims sustainability for their cattle, vegetable and chicken production. Hens are allowed to free range and have documented contact with free-living birds as per postings on social media.

It will be interesting to learn the SE history of the flock from routine or mandatory SE swab testing and to establish vaccination. If under 3,000 hens in total, Rainbow Farm would be exempt from the 2009 FDA Final Rule on Salmonella. A flock of 2,900 hens at a conservative 75 percent hen-day production could produce 66,150 dozen packs annually representing a considerable risk to consumers. The U.S. cut-off of 3,000 hens is far higher than the U.K. level in recognition of the possibility of disseminating SE especially from operations vulnerable to introduction and persistence of infection.  Exemption from the FDA Final Rule still implies adherence to prevailing obligations to operate with prudence and does not absolve farm owners from lawsuits alleging negligence.

Given that pasture will have been contaminated by SE is difficult to envisage how the farm will be able to restock and supply eggs free of the pathogen even with comprehensive vaccination of flocks.

“Free-range,” “Certified Organic,” “Sustainable,” “Pasture raised,” “Farm-fresh” and other claims have no relevance to food safety.