More than a half billion eggs, sold as popular brands in popular stores, were recalled after two Iowa farms detected salmonella in their facilities. The reaction in Sonoma County consisted of either, an indifferent returning of the eggs or a cheery, “Thank God I buy locally.”

When at least 1,300 illnesses could be linked to infected eggs, how is it that so many people simply accept this as normal? With a product so widely consumed and easily produced, egg farmers have capitalized on mass production and don’t have to worry about losing business, since eggs are a huge staple in many diets. California has much stricter regulations for egg farms than Iowa, making California eggs a little more expensive.

It is not necessarily the farms’ fault that a few hens were infected with salmonella or that eggs were contaminated by rodent droppings. However, they got greedy.

They saw a way to distribute eggs all over the country at a cheap price, and their mass production makes cleanliness and proper attention to hens difficult. Because of their empire, 1,300 cases of salmonella infection could be their fault.

It is a painstakingly long process for the Food and Drug Administration to investigate cases like these. The vast distribution of eggs from Iowa farms make it extremely difficult to trace illnesses back to the source, and even more difficult to warn consumers about a possible threat before illnesses occur.

This mess of investigations and the fear that any day you might be eating a contaminated egg is not necessary. Eggs are not an exotic product; chickens can be raised virtually anywhere.

Sonoma County was once a hub for egg farms, and there are still several in the area. People are getting sick from contaminated eggs, but nobody is dying because they cannot find eggs elsewhere.

The FDA wants congress to pass legislation implementing stricter regulations across the board, but since America is a capitalist society, it is more realistic to let the market play out as it was intended: competitive and consumer-regulated. In buying local eggs there is a greater chance that consumers will be forewarned of contaminants before an epidemic occurs, that the problem will be rectified quickly and that facilities will be cleaner. This helps to control outbreaks and prevent an epidemic situation.

If you are afraid of falling victim to salmonella, support your local economy and opt for eggs coming from California farms with stricter regulations.