Federal agents make second visit to Iowa egg farms at center of salmonella outbreak and recall

Federal agents descend on egg farms for 2nd time

WASHINGTON — Federal agents have descended for a second time on Wright County Egg and Hillandale Farms, the two Iowa farms at the center of a salmonella outbreak and massive egg recall.

Spokeswomen for the farms said the agents who arrived Tuesday worked for the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA and Justice Department confirmed that agents visited the farms but would not elaborate.

It is unclear whether this new investigation is the first step in a criminal probe. The FDA has jurisdiction to investigate crimes involving adulterated food, coordinating with the Justice Department.

The FDA concluded its investigation into the conditions of the farms Monday. Eggs from the two farms have been linked to as many as 1,500 cases of salmonella poisoning.