FDA escalates recall of 1.6 million dozen eggs over serious Salmonella risk

The US FDA has classified a large egg recall as a Class 1 incident, warning consumers of severe health risks linked to contaminated products from Midwest Poultry Services and prompting urgent public health action across multiple states.

The US Food and Drug Administration has escalated its warning over a recall of about 1.6 million dozen shell eggs linked to a Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak, classifying it as a Class 1 case, the agency’s most serious risk category. That designation is used when there is a reasonable chance that exposure to a product could cause severe illness or death.

According to the FDA, the eggs were produced by Midwest Poultry Services, L.P. at Texas farms between 6 June and 3 July 2026 and carried sell-by or best-by dates from 20 July to 17 August 2026. The products were sold under brands including Kroger, Simple Truth Cage Free and Brookshire’s, reaching retailers across several central and southern states.

The agency said the outbreak had, as of 24 July, caused 98 illnesses across 17 states and 26 hospitalisations. The company initiated the recall after environmental monitoring at its Texas facilities identified the contamination risk.

Consumers are being told to check carton codes, including P-1950 and 0840962, along with julian dates from 157 to 184. The FDA says affected eggs should not be eaten and should be returned to the point of purchase for a refund.

Salmonella can cause fever, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, and poses the greatest threat to young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.

Source: Noah Wire Services