Summary (tl;dr)

A multistate Salmonella outbreak linked to eggs has sickened 98 people across 17 states, leading to the recall of over 1.5 million dozen eggs from a Texas producer.

Essential Background

Salmonella is a bacteria that can cause salmonellosis, an infection with symptoms including diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, typically lasting four to seven days. While most people recover without specific treatment, severe infections are more likely in young children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Contaminated food, particularly eggs, is a common source of Salmonella infections.

The Full Story

Federal health officials, including the CDC and FDA, are currently investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections linked to shell eggs. As of early August 2026, 98 illnesses and 26 hospitalizations have been reported across 17 states, with symptom onset dates ranging from November 21, 2025, to June 30, 2026. The outbreak has been traced to Midwest Poultry Services, L.P., a Texas-based producer, which voluntarily recalled 1,589,577 dozen white and brown cage-free shell eggs on July 22, 2026. These recalled eggs, produced between June 6 and July 3, 2026, have "best by" dates between July 20 and August 17, 2026, and specific identifying codes (P-1950 or 0840962). The eggs were distributed to foodservice and retail outlets, including Kroger and Brookshire's stores, in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, and New Mexico. Testing on two Texas farms identified the presence of Salmonella Enteritidis matching the outbreak strain.

Why It Matters

This outbreak is significant due to the number of illnesses and hospitalizations reported, highlighting ongoing public health concerns related to food safety. The widespread recall of eggs underscores the importance of stringent food handling practices and consumer vigilance. Consumers are urged to check their refrigerators for recalled eggs and discard them or return them to the place of purchase to prevent further infections. This event also emphasizes the potential for foodborne illnesses to spread rapidly across multiple states through widely distributed products.

Geographic Location

• Texas, United States (origin of contaminated eggs and distribution point)
• Louisiana, United States (distribution of recalled eggs)
• Oklahoma, United States (distribution of recalled eggs)
• Arkansas, United States (distribution of recalled eggs)
• Mississippi, United States (distribution of recalled eggs)
• New Mexico, United States (distribution of recalled eggs)