While health authorities continue working to contain the multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak, a new food contamination investigation has raised alarms across the United States. More than 19 million eggs have been recalled after health officials linked them to a Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak that has already caused illness in nearly 100 people in 17 states.

Although the investigation indicates that products distributed by Midwest Poultry Services are a likely source of the infections, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it is still working to determine whether other sources of contamination are involved. The alert has prompted officials to urge consumers, grocery stores, and restaurants to check the products they purchased and avoid consuming any eggs included in the recall.

Why were millions of eggs recalled?

The voluntary recall was announced by Midwest Poultry Services L.P., an Indiana-based company that produced the eggs at two farms in Texas. In total, the company recalled 1,589,577 dozen eggs — equivalent to more than 19 million eggs — after detecting potential salmonella contamination through its environmental monitoring program and operational review.

The FDA said that epidemiological evidence, laboratory testing, and traceback data indicate that the recalled eggs are a likely source of the outbreak. However, the agency noted that the identified producer does not account for all reported illnesses and that the investigation remains ongoing.

Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, nausea, and vomiting. Symptoms typically develop between six and 72 hours after consuming contaminated food and, in most cases, resolve within four to seven days.

However, the infection can be particularly severe for young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems, who face a higher risk of complications requiring medical treatment or hospitalization. Health officials recommend seeking medical care if symptoms consistent with salmonella infection develop after consuming eggs included in the recall.

How many people have become ill?

According to the latest update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the outbreak has resulted in 98 confirmed cases across 17 states, including 26 hospitalizations. No deaths have been reported.

Illnesses began between November 21, 2025, and June 30, 2026, although health officials believe the true number of infections is likely higher. Many people recover without seeking medical care or undergoing testing, meaning their illnesses are never officially confirmed. Patients range in age from less than one year old to 81 years old, with a median age of 48.

Texas accounts for the vast majority of cases, with 73 infections, followed by Louisiana with five and Arizona with four. Additional cases have been reported in California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and West Virginia.

Investigation points to eggs

During the epidemiological investigation, public health officials interviewed 44 infected individuals and found that 40 of them (91%) had eaten eggs during the week before becoming ill.

In addition, genetic sequencing performed on bacteria isolated from patients showed they belonged to the same strain of Salmonella Enteritidis. At the same time, samples collected by the company at its Texas farms also tested positive for that same strain, further strengthening the link between the recalled eggs and the outbreak.

Which brands and products are affected?

The eggs were distributed between June 6 and July 3 2026, to grocery stores, restaurants, and other commercial food establishments.

Brands included in the recall are Kroger, Simple Truth, Brookshire’s, Country Morning, and Sunups, in various sizes of white shell eggs and cage-free brown eggs.

The products were sold at Kroger stores in Texas and Louisiana, as well as Brookshire’s supermarkets in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Mississippi, in addition to other retailers and food distributors.

How can consumers identify the recalled eggs?

The FDA advises consumers to check egg cartons for plant codes P-1950 or 0840962, best-by dates between July 20 and August 17, 2026, and Julian dates ranging from 157 to 184.

If a product matches those identifiers, consumers should not eat it. Instead, they should discard it or return it to the store where it was purchased for a refund. The FDA also recommends thoroughly washing and sanitizing any surfaces or containers that came into contact with the recalled eggs to help prevent cross-contamination.

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