The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week upgraded the classification of an egg recall affecting Tennessee and four other states to Level I, a classification which places the recall at the highest level available to the agency.

The FDA defines a Class I recall as "a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death."

The recall is in reference to a Nov. 27 recall announcement by the FDA for Handsome Brook Farms Kirkland brand of Signature Organic Pasture Raised 24-Count Eggs. The eggs have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, which in rare circumstances could enter the bloodstream and produce severe illnesses, even fatal infections in young children, the elderly, and those with weak immune systems. Healthy individuals can experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

The eggs have a UPC of 9661910680 and have the Kirkland Signature label on the top. The recall only applies to units with the Julian code 327 and a Use By date of Jan 5, 2025 on the side of the carton. Anyone with the affected products is asked to return immediately to their local Costco store.

The eggs were sold in Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.