Nearly two million eggs have been recalled across nine U.S. states following a widespread salmonella outbreak linked to the August Egg Company, a California-based producer. The recall, announced on June 6, 2025, by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), affects 1.7 million dozen brown cage-free and brown certified organic eggs distributed over the last four months.
The eggs, potentially contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis, were sold in various popular supermarkets and restaurants in Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Washington, and Wyoming. Retailers involved include Walmart, Save Mart, FoodMaxx, Lucky, Smart & Final, Safeway, Raley's, Food 4 Less, and Ralphs.
Consumers are urged to check their egg cartons for plant code numbers P-6562 or CA5330 and Julian dates between 032 and 126, which indicate the eggs are part of the recall. These eggs were packaged in both fiber and clear plastic cartons, and shoppers are advised to carefully inspect their purchases and either discard the eggs or return them to the place of purchase.
The CDC has reported 79 confirmed cases of salmonella infection linked to these eggs, with 21 individuals hospitalized. Fortunately, no deaths have been reported. Most of those affected—approximately 63 people—reside in California, with additional cases spread across Nevada, Washington, Arizona, New Jersey, Nebraska, and Kentucky. Interestingly, some ill individuals from Kentucky, New Jersey, and Washington had traveled to California and Nevada before falling ill, underscoring the outbreak’s regional impact.
Salmonella bacteria reside in the intestines of humans and animals and can contaminate food products such as eggs. Infection typically manifests within six hours to six days after exposure, with symptoms including diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and dehydration. While most healthy individuals recover within four to seven days without medical intervention, young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems face heightened risks of severe illness requiring hospitalization.
According to the FDA and CDC, the outbreak began with eggs distributed between early February and mid-May 2025. Eggs with sell-by dates up to June 4 were distributed in California and Nevada, while those with sell-by dates extending to June 19 reached Walmart stores in the other affected states. The August Egg Company has cooperated fully with health officials and has taken steps to mitigate further risks by diverting remaining eggs to an egg-breaking facility for pasteurization, a process that kills pathogens.
In a statement, August Egg Company emphasized its commitment to food safety: "It is important to know that when our processing plant identified this concern, we immediately began diverting all eggs from the plant to an egg-breaking facility, which pasteurizes the eggs and kills any pathogens. Our internal food safety team is conducting a stringent review to establish measures preventing recurrence. We are committed to addressing this matter fully and implementing all necessary corrective actions to ensure this does not happen again."
The recall encompasses a variety of egg brands under which the affected eggs were sold, including Clover, First Street, Nulaid, O Organics, Marketside, Raley’s, Simple Truth, Sun Harvest, and Sunnyside. This broad distribution highlights the extensive reach of the outbreak and the importance of consumer vigilance.
Public health officials advise consumers to take several precautions: do not consume any recalled eggs; discard or return them to the point of purchase; thoroughly wash hands, utensils, and surfaces that may have come into contact with the eggs using hot, soapy water or a dishwasher; and seek medical advice if experiencing symptoms consistent with salmonella infection. Businesses are urged to immediately cease selling or serving recalled eggs and to sanitize affected areas to prevent further contamination.
This recall arrives amid ongoing scrutiny of the U.S. egg industry. Earlier in 2025, the Department of Justice began investigating major egg producers over allegations of price inflation during supply shortages. While egg prices saw a significant drop of 12.7% in April—the largest single-month decrease since 1984—the salmonella outbreak adds new challenges for producers and consumers alike.
Salmonella infections are a serious public health concern in the United States, causing approximately 1.35 million illnesses, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths annually. This outbreak underscores the critical need for stringent food safety protocols and consumer awareness, especially as summer approaches when egg-heavy dishes like potato salad, deviled eggs, and baked goods are popular.
For the latest updates and detailed information, consumers can visit the CDC’s official outbreak page or the FDA’s website. The recall notice provides a comprehensive list of affected brands, plant codes, and Julian dates to help shoppers identify potentially contaminated products.
As the investigation continues, health officials and the August Egg Company remain focused on preventing further illnesses and ensuring the safety of the food supply. This event serves as a stark reminder of the vigilance required in food production and handling to protect public health.
