ELBRIDGE -- More than a half billion eggs have been recalled across the country after a Salmonella outbreak was linked to two massive egg farms in Iowa.

And while that number seems large, it only accounts for a fraction of all eggs in the United States.

Here in Central New York, we have escaped the egg recall.  Hudson Egg Farms in Elbridge sent out a letter to its customers assuring them they were not part of it, reiterating it continues to take steps to curb similar outbreaks.  Still, owners there say they know this type of outbreak is always a possibility if proper steps aren't taken.

"It could happen anywhere if you aren't following the proper procedures," says Lee Hudson, who owns the farm with his brother and nephew.

Taking preventative measures, he says, significantly reduces the risk of contamination.  He says the farm has been testing for Salmonella Enteritidis since June 14, 1999, and says it starts with making sure the entire farm is clean. 

"From the day old baby chick, right to the laying house, the feed mill, right into the processing room to make sure we're clean and don't have any Salmonella," Hudson says.

One of the most common ways for Salmonella to get into the system is by contaminating the chickens' food supply, usually by rodents or flies.  Hudson says once that happens, it snowballs from there.

"It all goes back to monitoring the products you're recieving at the mill and that everything's picked up and everything's properly stored," Lee says.

In the meantime, if you have any questions about the eggs at Hudson Egg Farms, you can call them at (315) 689-9189.