The U.S. Food and Drug Administration upgraded a nationwide egg recall to Class I this week, its highest-risk classification, after linking nearly 19 million recalled eggs to a multistate Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak that has sickened 98 people across 17 states and hospitalized 26. The classification means the FDA has determined there is a reasonable probability that exposure to the recalled product could cause serious health consequences or death. No fatalities have been reported.
The escalation came three weeks after Midwest Poultry Services, a family-owned Indiana company operating farms in Texas, voluntarily recalled 1,589,577 dozen shell eggs on July 22. Environmental monitoring at two of its Texas production facilities had revealed potential Salmonella contamination, and whole genome sequencing performed by a third-party lab confirmed that samples from the farms matched the outbreak strain circulating in patients across the country. The recalled eggs were produced between June 6 and July 3, 2026, and carry sell-by or best-by dates between July 20 and August 17, 2026, meaning the final batches reach their expiration today.
Key Takeaways
- The FDA upgraded the Midwest Poultry Services egg recall to Class I, its highest severity level, indicating a reasonable probability of serious health consequences or death from exposure to the product
- A total of 98 people have been infected with Salmonella Enteritidis across 17 states, with 26 hospitalizations and no deaths reported. Illnesses date back to November 21, 2025, through June 30, 2026
- The outbreak strain is resistant to the antibiotic doctors most commonly prescribe for serious Salmonella infections, complicating treatment for hospitalized patients
- Approximately 19 million individual eggs are covered by the recall, sold under Kroger, Simple Truth, Brookshire’s, Country Morning, and Cal-Maine Sunups brand names
- Recalled eggs carry plant codes P-1950 or 0840962 printed on the side of the carton, not the top, with Julian dates between 157 and 184
- Confirmed distribution states include Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, and New Mexico, though the FDA warned that eggs may have reached additional locations
How to Identify Recalled Eggs in Your Refrigerator
The recall covers white shell eggs and brown cage-free shell eggs sold in retail sizes of 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, and 60 count cartons. Identifying whether a carton falls under the recall requires checking the side of the packaging, not the top. The relevant plant codes, P-1950 or 0840962, are printed in date-coding ink on either the left or right side of the carton. A carton is recalled only if it shows one of those two plant codes and a Julian date between 157 and 184, which corresponds to the June 6 through July 3 production window.
Brand names alone are not sufficient for identification. Kroger, Simple Truth, Brookshire’s, Country Morning, and Cal-Maine Sunups eggs are only affected if they carry the specific plant codes and date range. The recalled eggs were available at Kroger stores in Texas and Louisiana, Brookshire Grocery stores across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Mississippi, and smaller retail and foodservice outlets throughout those states. The FDA cautioned that distribution may extend beyond the confirmed states.
Consumers who find recalled eggs in their refrigerator should discard them immediately or return them to the point of purchase for a full refund. Any surfaces, containers, or utensils that came in contact with the recalled eggs should be disinfected.
The Antibiotic-Resistant Strain Raises the Medical Stakes
Federal investigators identified the Salmonella Enteritidis strain in this outbreak as resistant to the antibiotic that physicians most commonly reach for when Salmonella infections become serious enough to require medical intervention. That resistance profile elevates the clinical risk for patients who develop invasive infections, particularly the elderly, children under five, pregnant individuals, and people with compromised immune systems.
Of the 44 patients interviewed as part of the CDC’s epidemiological investigation, 40 reported eating eggs before becoming ill, a 91% correlation rate that provided strong evidence for the traceback. Illnesses in the outbreak began as early as November 21, 2025, with the most recent reported onset on June 30, 2026. The gap between the earliest cases and the July recall suggests that contaminated eggs were circulating in the food supply for months before the source was identified.
The FDA noted that Midwest Poultry Services “does not account for all the illnesses in this outbreak,” indicating that investigators are still working to determine whether additional sources contributed to the broader Salmonella cluster.
Midwest Poultry Services Has Diverted Production to Pasteurization
Midwest Poultry Services, headquartered in North Manchester, Indiana, operates the two Texas farms where contamination was detected. The company shared its third-party testing results with the FDA on July 21 and initiated the voluntary recall the following day. In a statement at the time, the company said it was not aware of any specific illnesses linked to its products and described the recall as a precautionary measure.
Since the recall, Midwest Poultry Services has diverted egg production from the affected facilities to a breaking plant for pasteurization, a process that kills Salmonella. No other Midwest Poultry Services products are included in the recall. Eggs from the two affected Texas farms are not currently being distributed to consumers in shell form.
The FDA’s investigation remains active, and the agency said the outbreak advisory will be updated as additional information becomes available. The Class I reclassification does not change what consumers should do, the guidance remains to discard or return any eggs matching the recall codes, but it reflects the federal government’s assessment that the public health risk from this outbreak is at the highest level of severity the recall system recognizes.
FAQs
Which egg brands are included in the recall?
Recalled eggs were sold under Kroger, Simple Truth, Brookshire’s, Country Morning, and Cal-Maine Sunups brand names. However, the brand name alone does not confirm a recall. Consumers must check for plant codes P-1950 or 0840962 printed on the side of the carton, along with Julian dates between 157 and 184 and sell-by dates between July 20 and August 17, 2026.
What should I do if I have recalled eggs?
Discard the eggs immediately or return them to the store for a full refund. Disinfect any refrigerator shelves, countertops, containers, or utensils that may have come in contact with the recalled eggs. If you have experienced symptoms of Salmonella infection after eating eggs, contact your healthcare provider.
What are the symptoms of Salmonella infection?
Symptoms typically appear 12 to 72 hours after consuming contaminated food and include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Most people recover within four to seven days without treatment. Seek emergency medical care for high fever above 102°F, bloody diarrhea, continuous vomiting, or signs of severe dehydration such as dizziness, dark urine, or extreme dry mouth.
