The US Food and Drug Administration upgraded a recall of nearly 19.1 million eggs to Class I, its highest possible risk category, on Wednesday, August 12, as federal health officials continue investigating a multistate Salmonella outbreak tied to the products.
What Class I Means
A Class I recall is the FDA's most severe designation, defined as "a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death." It is not a routine precautionary label — the FDA reserves it for situations the agency judges to carry a genuine, probable risk of serious harm, not merely a theoretical one.
Details of the Recall
The recall covers 1,589,577 dozen eggs — more than 19 million individual eggs — comprising white shell eggs and brown cage-free shell eggs. Midwest Poultry Services, based in North Manchester, Indiana, first issued the recall on July 22 over concerns of possible Salmonella Enteritidis contamination. The eggs were produced and distributed from two farms in Texas between June 6 and July 3, 2026, and carry sell-by or best-by dates ranging from July 20 through August 17, 2026 — meaning some affected cartons may still be sitting in consumers' refrigerators.
Where the Eggs Were Sold
The recalled eggs were distributed across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Mississippi, sold under brand names including Kroger, Simple Truth, Brookshire's, Country Morning, and Cal-Maine Sunups. Affected cartons can be identified by codes P-1950 or 0840962, with a Julian date printed on the carton falling between 157 and 184. Consumers who purchased eggs matching these codes and date ranges are urged to throw them away or return them for a refund; if eggs were stored without their original packaging and can't be identified, the FDA advises discarding them to be safe.
The Salmonella Outbreak Behind the Recall
The recalled eggs have been linked to a Salmonella outbreak that has sickened 98 people across 17 states, resulting in 26 hospitalizations, according to the CDC. The agency said 91% of patients reported eating eggs before falling ill. No deaths have been reported in connection with this specific outbreak so far.
Symptoms and When to Seek Care
Salmonella infection typically causes fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, with most otherwise healthy adults recovering within about a week. However, infants, young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems face a higher risk of complications, including severe dehydration and infections that spread beyond the intestines. The FDA notes that more severe salmonella-linked illness can include arterial infections, endocarditis (a heart infection), and arthritis. The agency urges anyone who believes they've been infected to contact a healthcare provider, particularly if symptoms include bloody diarrhea, diarrhea lasting more than two days, a fever above 102°F, frequent vomiting that prevents keeping down liquids, or signs of dehydration. According to FDA data, Salmonella causes an estimated 1.35 million illnesses and 420 deaths annually in the US across all sources combined.
Part of a Broader Pattern This Summer
This egg recall isn't an isolated incident. The FDA's Class I designation has also recently been applied to a separate Salmonella-related recall of Zapp's and Dirty brand potato chips earlier this summer, and health officials are simultaneously tracking another ongoing Salmonella outbreak linked to fresh jalapeños grown in Mexico, which has sickened 345 people and led to 36 hospitalizations across 27 states since late July. No deaths have been reported in that outbreak either.
What to Do If You Have Recalled Eggs
If you purchased eggs matching the recalled product codes and date ranges, the FDA advises against eating them. Instead, dispose of them or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. It's also recommended to wash any surfaces, containers, or utensils that may have come into contact with the recalled eggs to avoid cross-contamination. For the full list of affected products and lookup codes, see the FDA's official recall database.
With sell-by dates extending through mid-August, health officials are urging households in the affected states to check their refrigerators immediately rather than assuming the recall no longer applies to eggs currently in their kitchen.