US FDA raises egg recall to highest risk level amid Salmonella outbreak affecting 98 across 17 states

The FDA has classified a multistate Salmonella outbreak linked to nearly 1.6 million dozen eggs as a Class I recall, warning of serious health risks and urging consumers to discard affected products.

The US Food and Drug Administration has raised to its highest risk category a recall of shell eggs linked to a multistate Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak, underscoring the scale of a food-safety incident that has already sickened 98 people across 17 states.

According to the FDA and Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Midwest Poultry Services recalled about 1.6 million dozen white and brown cage-free eggs produced in Texas and distributed between 6 June and 3 July 2026. The products carried sell-by or best-by dates from 20 July to 17 August and were sold under labels including Kroger, Simple Truth, Brookshire’s, Cal-Maine and Country Morning.

The agencies said 26 people had been hospitalised, though no deaths had been reported. Epidemiological and traceback evidence pointed to the recalled eggs as a likely source of infection.

Class I recalls are reserved for products that may cause serious health consequences. Consumers, retailers and foodservice operators have been told to discard or return affected eggs and disinfect any surfaces or containers that may have been exposed.

Health officials also warn that washing eggs at home does not make them safe. Thorough cooking reduces risk, but recalled eggs should not be consumed at all.