Salmonella Outbreak From Eggs Hits Seven U.S. States

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Salmonella Outbreak From Eggs Hits Seven U.S. States/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A salmonella outbreak tied to recalled eggs has sickened at least 79 people across seven U.S. states, with 21 hospitalized. The recall, issued by August Egg Company, affects 1.7 million eggs sold from February to May. Health officials urge consumers to discard or return the eggs and sanitize surfaces.

FILE – A carton of eggs sits on a kitchen counter on March 17, 2023, in East Derry, N.H. Egg prices are 43% higher than they were three years ago. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

Salmonella Egg Recall: Quick Looks

Salmonella outbreak linked to recalled eggs has caused at least 79 illnesses and 21 hospitalizations.
August Egg Company recalled 1.7 million eggs, including organic and cage-free varieties.
Affected eggs were sold between February and May across nine states in the West and Midwest.
CDC warns consumers to check labels, discard affected eggs, or return them to stores.
Symptoms of infection include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps—particularly dangerous for young kids and the elderly.
FDA and CDC released detailed lists of affected brands and plant codes on their official websites.
Health officials advise sanitizing surfaces that may have contacted the eggs.

Deep Look: Egg-Linked Salmonella Outbreak Sickens Dozens Across Seven States

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A salmonella outbreak traced to tainted eggs has left dozens ill and more than 20 hospitalized across the United States, prompting a sweeping recall by the August Egg Company, according to federal health authorities.

The outbreak has affected at least 79 individuals in seven states, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed Saturday. Of those sickened, 21 required hospitalization, underscoring the seriousness of the foodborne illness, especially in vulnerable populations such as young children, seniors, and immunocompromised individuals.

Egg Recall Affects Nine States

In response, the August Egg Company issued a recall of 1.7 million eggs, covering brown organic and brown cage-free varieties that were distributed between February and May. The recall spans nine states:

Arizona
California
Illinois
Indiana
Nebraska
New Mexico
Nevada
Washington
Wyoming

These eggs were widely distributed through regional and national grocery chains, with the affected products marked by specific plant codes and Julian dates, available via the FDA and CDC websites.

How Dangerous Is Salmonella?

Salmonella bacteria are among the most common causes of foodborne illness in the U.S. Infections can cause a range of symptoms including:

Diarrhea
Fever
Stomach cramps
Nausea and vomiting
Dehydration

Most people recover in 4–7 days without treatment, but in severe cases—especially for infants, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems—salmonella infections can lead to hospitalization or even death if not treated promptly.

The CDC urges individuals who believe they may be experiencing symptoms to seek medical care immediately.

What You Should Do

Health officials are advising the public to immediately discard any recalled eggs or return them to the place of purchase. Additionally, consumers should:

Check plant codes and dates listed on egg cartons using the FDA/CDC recall list.
Sanitize any surfaces—including countertops, refrigerators, utensils, or cookware—that may have come into contact with the eggs.
Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling the eggs.

Outbreak Timeline and Investigations

According to public health officials, the salmonella strain linked to this outbreak is being tracked by laboratory analysis. The current cluster began as early as March and continued through May. Most of the confirmed cases come from California and Illinois, with a small number reported in Indiana and New Mexico.

The FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations is reportedly working alongside the CDC to determine the source of contamination, examining everything from egg processing plants to distribution facilities.

As the investigation continues, more cases may be confirmed. Officials anticipate more illnesses may still surface, as the symptoms often take 6–72 hours to appear after exposure.

Brands and Labeling

While specific brand names were not disclosed in the original FDA update, eggs included in the recall were sold under private labels and some national brands across retail chains.

Consumers should examine egg packaging for the following details: