Salmonella egg recall alert: 1.7M eggs yanked off shelves as outbreak sickens dozens in multistate health crisis

Salmonella outbreak linked to eggs sickens dozens across seven U.S. states- A salmonella outbreak linked to eggs has made at least 79 people sick across seven states, triggering a massive recall of 1.7 million eggs sold under multiple brands. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that the outbreak is tied to brown organic and brown cage-free eggs distributed by August Egg Company, based in Hilmar, California.

The affected eggs were sold between February 3 and May 15, 2025, at major grocery stores like Walmart, Ralphs, Safeway, Save Mart, FoodMaxx, and Raley’s across several states. With 21 hospitalizations and a large number of cases concentrated in California, federal officials are urging consumers to check their egg cartons immediately.

Where were the eggs sold?

The recalled eggs were distributed to stores in at least nine states, including:

• California
  
  
• Nevada
  
  
• Arizona
  
  
• Illinois
  
  
• Indiana
  
  
• Washington
  
  
• Wyoming
  
  
• New Mexico
  
  
• Nebraska
  
  

Retailers affected include Walmart, Safeway, Raley’s, Food 4 Less, Lucky, Save Mart, and others. Distribution occurred between February 3 and May 15, 2025, depending on the region.

How many people have gotten sick and where are the cases concentrated?

According to the CDC, at least 79 people have become ill, and 21 of them were hospitalized due to salmonella infections linked to the recalled eggs. The majority of cases—63—were reported in California, followed by Nevada and Washington State with 4 cases each. Additional cases were found in Arizona, Kentucky, Nebraska, and New Jersey. Fortunately, no deaths have been reported so far.

Scope of the outbreak

• 79 confirmed illnesses across seven states (AZ, CA, IL, IN, NE, NV, WA, WY, NM)—with symptom onset between Feb 24 and May 17, 2025,
  
  
• 21 hospitalizations, though no deaths reported.
  
  
• Cases span age 1 to 90, median age 48; 59% female, 41% male; majority (94%) are White.
  
  
• Around 90% of interviewed patients reported eating eggs before falling ill.

Which egg brands are affected by the salmonella outbreak?

The recall involves multiple brown organic and cage-free egg brands distributed by August Egg Company. These eggs have sell-by dates ranging from March 4 to June 19, 2025, and were sold in both local grocery stores and Walmart locations across California, Arizona, Nevada, Washington, New Mexico, Wyoming, Illinois, Indiana, and Nebraska.

Customers are encouraged to check the plant number codes and brand names listed on the FDA and CDC websites to confirm if their eggs are part of the recall.

Quick data snapshot

What should consumers do if they have recalled eggs at home?

The CDC strongly advises against eating any of the recalled eggs. Instead, they recommend throwing them away or returning them to the store where they were bought.

People should also wash all surfaces and items that may have come into contact with the recalled eggs using hot, soapy water or clean them in a dishwasher to prevent further spread of bacteria.

What you should do now

1. Check your egg cartons—look for plant codes P‑6562 or CA‑5330, and sell-by dates matching March 4–June 19.
   
   
2. Discard or return any matching eggs immediately.
   
   
3. Clean and disinfect all surfaces and utensils that touched the eggs.
   
   
4. Watch for symptoms and consult a healthcare provider if you experience them.

What steps has August Egg Company taken to contain the outbreak?

In a statement to the FDA, August Egg Company said it launched the voluntary recall “out of an abundance of caution” to protect consumers who might still have the contaminated eggs at home.

They explained that once the issue was identified, they began diverting all eggs from the affected plant to a pasteurizing facility, where eggs are heat-treated to kill any harmful bacteria.

The company also confirmed it is conducting an internal review to strengthen safety protocols and avoid similar incidents in the future.

What are the symptoms of salmonella and who is most at risk?

Salmonella typically causes symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, and stomach cramps, which can last between 4 to 7 days. Most people recover without treatment, but in severe cases—especially among children under 5, seniors over 65, and those with weakened immune systems—hospitalization may be necessary.

Every year, salmonella sickens an estimated 1.35 million people in the U.S., according to CDC data.

How did the outbreak get traced back to the eggs?

During an FDA inspection of a processing facility operated by August Egg Company, tests revealed a strain of salmonella that closely matched the one found in people who had fallen ill. This direct link helped investigators identify the eggs as the source of the outbreak and prompted the recall.

FAQs:

How do I check if my eggs are in the salmonella outbreak recall?
Match the plant code and sell-by date on your brown organic or cage-free carton with the FDA recall list.

What should I do if I ate recalled eggs linked to the salmonella outbreak?
Monitor for fever, diarrhea or stomach cramps within 6–72 hours and call a doctor if symptoms appear.