An outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis in several states has led to a large egg recall throughout the country, and advice has been shared in nine states. 79 illnesses have been reported as a result of the outbreak from the August Egg Company in Hilmar, California. That has prompted the FDA and CDC to advise throwing away or returning egg products linked to the outbreak. Health officials report that nobody has lost their life from COVID-19 so far, though more cases may exist that have not been reported yet.
States Affected and Products Involved
A recall notice from the FDA said that eggs that could be contaminated were sent to California, Nevada, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Arizona, Washington, and Wyoming from February 3 to May 15, 2025. Customers could buy the products in well-known stores such as Walmart, Save Mart, Safeway, FoodMaxx, Lucky, Smart & Final, Food 4 Less, Raley’s, and Ralphs. People are advised to check if their egg cartons show plant codes P-6562 or CA-5330, and Julian dates between 032 and 126.
You could find the eggs sold under the labels Clover, Nulaid, O Organics, Marketside, Raley’s, Simple Truth, Sun Harvest, and Sunnyside, among others. Those products were commonly presented as cage-free or organic eggs in 12- or 18-unit fiber or plastic cartons. Having these details is important for anyone wanting to check their eggs at home for contamination.
Health Impact and Symptoms to Watch
According to the health officials, the disease has affected 63 individuals in California and 11 people each in Nebraska and Wyoming. Other states in this category are Nevada (4), Arizona (3), Washington (4), New Jersey (2), Kentucky (1), and Nebraska (2). Six people who reported being in California or Nevada before they fell ill indicate the virus may have been spread by traveling.
The severe illness of gastrointestinal problems that comes from Salmonella is caused by a bacterial infection. Typical symptoms are fever, diarrhea, cramps in the abdomen, nausea, and vomiting, and they usually start 12 to 72 hours after contact. Compared to other groups, young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with faulty immune systems are more at risk from this kind of infection. At times, patients need to stay in the hospital, and problems such as pain in the joints or in the urinary tract can happen in the long term.
Investigation and Company Response
By using genetic analysis and reviewing egg shipments, investigators confirmed the outbreak started at August Egg Company and affected places where people consumed such eggs. The inspection at the company’s factory found Salmonella samples that were the same as those found in people who got sick.
Therefore, August Egg Company recalled 1.7 million dozen eggs and has stopped selling shell eggs at retailers. The firm outlined that it is diverting its eggs to a pasteurization line where all dangerous substances can be neutralized. Kraft announced that its experts are checking everything internally to ensure future food safety issues do not occur.
Consumer Guidance and Next Steps
CDC reminds everyone to throw away any of the recalled eggs and not sell or serve them. Should you identify bought eggs as unsafe, check the plant number and Julian date, get rid of them, and then ask the store for a refund if possible. To get additional information, consumers can call the August Egg Company at 1-800-710-2554.
Should you have eaten eggs lately and are feeling ill, immediately visit a healthcare provider and tell them about the possibility of Salmonella. Preventive measures such as testing and prompt treatment help avoid more challenging results, mainly for vulnerable people.
Final Thoughts
This outbreak is a reminder of the importance of vigilant food safety protocols, especially when dealing with products that are widely consumed and distributed. While no fatalities have occurred, the illnesses linked to this outbreak have affected dozens of families, prompting renewed attention on the traceability and inspection processes in the food supply chain.
