An inspection by the Food & Drug Administration's Health & Human Services at one of the farms behind the recent egg recalls revealed an ongoing rodent infestation.

According to the inspection document, a Rose Acre Farms operation in Hyde County, N.C., had not implemented appropriate corrective actions for a rodent infestation that was documented back in September 2017.

“There were insanitary conditions and poor employee practices observed in the egg processing facility that create an environment that allows for the harborage, proliferation and spread of filth and pathogens throughout the facility that could cause the contamination of egg processing equipment and eggs,” the inspection report noted.

Last week, Rose Acres Farms voluntarily recalled nearly 207 million eggs after strains of Salmonella Braenderup were traced back to the Hyde County farm. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention reported April 16 that there have been a total of 23 cases in nine states, with six hospitalizations but no deaths.

CDC said illnesses started between Nov. 16, 2017, and March 22, 2018, in people ranging in age from five to 90 years old, with a median age of 65.

According to FDA, the eggs were distributed from a farm in Hyde County and reached consumers in the states of Colorado, Florida, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia through retail stores and restaurants via direct delivery. They were sold under multiple brand names, including Coburn Farms, Country Daybreak, Food Lion, Glenview, Great Value, Nelms and Sunshine Farms.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D., Conn.) wrote a letter this week to FDA Administrator Dr. Scott Gottlieb requesting additional information on the investigation.

“Last week, Rose Acre Farms voluntarily recalled 206,749,248 eggs because of possible contamination with Salmonella Braenderup,” DeLauro wrote. “FDA records reveal that the company’s Hyde County location was inspected in the weeks leading up to the recall – from March 26 to April 11, 2018. The reports show serious violations of food safety standards that are designed to safeguard public health. Consumers and their families deserve a safe food supply, and that requires that FDA act adequately and timely to address problems that may lead to product contamination and foodborne illnesses.”

DeLauro explained that the size of this recall makes it the largest since a similar salmonella outbreak in eggs in 2010. “The 2010 outbreak shed light on deficiencies with federal oversight of egg production and prompted FDA and USDA to address such shortfalls. This most recent outbreak gives us an opportunity to evaluate if those actions were sufficient or whether additional steps need to be taken,” she said.