In a significant public health alert, dozens of people across seven states, primarily in the western United States, have fallen ill due to a salmonella outbreak associated with a massive recall of 1.7 million eggs. The recall was initiated by the August Egg Company, based in Hilmar, California, and affects various brands of brown organic and brown cage-free eggs distributed to grocery stores between February 3 and May 15 of this year.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that the recalled eggs pose a potential contamination risk with salmonella. This warning comes amidst reports that at least 79 individuals have become ill, with 21 requiring hospitalization, as confirmed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in a statement released on Friday.
California has been the most affected state, with 63 reported illnesses. Other states experiencing outbreaks include Nevada and Washington, each reporting four cases. Additionally, illnesses have been documented in Arizona, Kentucky, Nebraska, and New Jersey. Fortunately, no fatalities have been recorded in connection with this outbreak.
The affected eggs, which have sell-by dates ranging from March 4 to June 4, 2025, were distributed to various retail locations, including Save Mart, FoodMaxx, Raley’s, Ralphs, and Safeway. Furthermore, Walmart stores in Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Washington, and Wyoming received shipments of these eggs with sell-by dates extending from March 4 to June 19, 2025.
To assist consumers, a comprehensive list of brands and plant number codes connected to the outbreak is available on both the FDA and CDC websites.
The CDC has issued a strong warning: “Do not eat any recalled eggs.” Consumers who possess these eggs are advised to dispose of them or return them to the store where they were purchased. Additionally, the CDC recommends that individuals wash any items and surfaces that may have come into contact with the recalled eggs using hot, soapy water or a dishwasher.
During an inspection of the August Egg Company’s processing facility, the FDA discovered samples that tested positive for a strain of salmonella closely related to the strain causing illness in affected individuals. In response, the August Egg Company stated that it was “appropriate out of an abundance of caution” to issue this voluntary recall, emphasizing that consumers may still have the implicated eggs in their households.
The company also noted that upon identifying the contamination concern, it promptly diverted all eggs from the processing plant to an egg-breaking facility, where the eggs undergo pasteurization to eliminate any pathogens. Furthermore, the August Egg Company is conducting a rigorous internal review to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Salmonella is a significant public health concern, affecting an estimated 1.35 million individuals in the United States annually. Symptoms of salmonella infection typically include fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Most individuals recover without requiring medical treatment within four to seven days.
As health authorities continue to monitor the situation, consumers are urged to remain vigilant and informed about the potential risks associated with the recalled eggs.
