The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Wednesday, August 12th, a Class I recall involving over 1.5 million boxes (12 eggs per box) of eggs due to Salmonella contamination, raising the risk level to the highest category.
According to FDA’s definition, a Class I recall means there is a reasonable probability that using or being exposed to the violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.
As of July 24th, the outbreak has led to 98 confirmed cases of Salmonella infection across 17 states, with 26 individuals being hospitalized. No deaths related to the outbreak have been reported thus far.
The majority of cases (73) have occurred in Texas, with the rest scattered in California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Illinois, Minnesota, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, New York, and West Virginia.
Midwest Poultry Services, L.P. voluntarily recalled a total of 1,589,577 boxes of white shell eggs and brown free-range eggs in late July. These eggs were sold under various brands including Kroger, Brookshire’s, Country Morning, Simple Truth, and Sunups, and cover loose A and AA grade eggs.
The affected products came from two farms in Texas where Salmonella was found during routine environmental testing. The eggs were produced and distributed between June 6th and July 3rd, with the “sell by” or “best by” date ranging from July 20th to August 17th.
The products were primarily distributed to retail and foodservice customers in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Mississippi, as well as some smaller retailers. The FDA warns that the products may have further circulated to more states.
Consumers in possession of these eggs are advised to immediately cease consumption and return them to the place of purchase or dispose of them.
FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are currently investigating if there are additional sources of infection related to this outbreak.
Symptoms of Salmonella infection typically include fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and severe abdominal pain appearing within 12 to 72 hours after exposure. Young children, elderly individuals, and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of developing severe complications such as sepsis or arthritis and should remain vigilant.
As concerns over Salmonella rise, a deadly Cyclospora outbreak related to lettuce is also spreading, causing severe diarrhea.