Nearly 1.6 million dozen eggs have been recalled across the US south and south-west over concerns of salmonella contamination, with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) elevating the recall to its highest-risk category. The outbreak has sickened at least 98 people across 17 states, including 26 hospitalizations, as of 24 July.
FDA reclassifies recall to Class I
On 12 August, the FDA reclassified the recall of nearly 1.6 million dozen white and brown cage-free eggs, produced in Texas, to Class I. The FDA defines Class I as “a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”
Illnesses linked to the recalled eggs were reported between 21 November 2025 and 30 June 2026. No deaths have been reported, according to the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Company detected issue through monitoring
Midwest Poultry Services identified the problem through “proactive environmental monitoring practices and root cause analysis,” according to an FDA recall report. As of 22 July, the company stopped distributing fresh eggs from its Texas farms. However, the recalled eggs remain a concern because their best-by and sell-by dates extend through 17 August.
The eggs were shipped to locations across Texas and throughout the US south and south-west, including food service retail outlets in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. They were available at Kroger stores in Texas and Louisiana, Brookshire Grocery locations in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Mississippi, as well as “other smaller retail outlets,” according to the initial recall alert.
Consumers advised to return eggs
Midwest Poultry Services previously warned consumers not to eat the recalled eggs and instead return them to the place of purchase for a refund. The specific egg products covered by the recall are listed in the enforcement report.
The recall reclassification comes as the Trump administration confronts a string of health crises involving food safety in the US. The US has been experiencing one of the largest recorded foodborne illness outbreaks in its history, with confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis linked to lettuce surpassing 13,000. Another salmonella outbreak involving jalapeños has also prompted a recall of Taylor Farms products sold in 26 states.
On Monday, the FDA announced changes to its rules governing how food manufacturers notify the agency about ingredients brought to market. While the change would close a regulatory loophole, it falls short of the administration’s promises to dramatically overhaul food regulations.
