The recall involves approximately 1.6 million cartons, or nearly 19 million individual eggs, produced and distributed by Midwest Poultry Services, L.P., a company based in North Manchester, Indiana, with affected farms located in Texas, according to FDA records. The eggs subject to the recall were produced between June 6 and July 3, 2026, and include both white and brown cage-free shell eggs. The cartons bear sell-by or best-by dates ranging from July 20 through August 17, 2026, and specific plant and lot identifiers—codes P-1950 or 0840962 with Julian dates 157 through 184—printed on the side of the packaging, officials said.

Federal and state health agencies have linked the recalled eggs to 98 laboratory-confirmed cases of Salmonella Enteritidis infection across 17 states, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the FDA.

Among those infected, 26 people have been hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported to date, media summaries of agency data show. Epidemiological investigations and laboratory testing have traced the outbreak to the implicated egg lots, with FDA officials stating that the recalled shell eggs are a likely source of the illnesses.

The FDA elevated the recall to its highest-risk Class I designation in mid-August 2026, following a thorough risk assessment of the outbreak data. FDA defines a Class I recall as one where there is a reasonable probability that use of or exposure to the product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death. The agency issued an enforcement report and safety alert formalizing the reclassification around August 14, 2026, emphasizing that the upgrade reflects a risk determination and does not necessarily expand the scope of Midwest Poultry Services’ original voluntary recall.

Midwest Poultry Services initiated the voluntary recall in July 2026 after identifying potential contamination with Salmonella Enteritidis in its Texas-produced eggs. The recall affects distribution primarily across parts of the U.S. South and Southwest, as well as other regions served by the company’s supply chain, FDA and CDC sources confirmed. Retailers and distributors in the impacted areas have been instructed not to sell or serve the recalled eggs and to follow FDA guidance on proper handling and disposal.

The ongoing investigation is a joint effort between the FDA, CDC, and state and local health departments. It relies on epidemiological interviews with affected individuals, laboratory testing of clinical and food samples, and supply-chain traceback from retail points back to the farms, according to FDA’s outbreak investigation documentation. While the agency has identified Midwest Poultry Services’ shell eggs as a likely source, officials noted that the investigation remains open and could expand if additional sources are implicated.

Public health authorities have issued consumer guidance advising against consumption of any eggs falling within the recalled brand, code, and date ranges. Consumers are urged to check the sell-by or best-by dates and the plant and Julian codes printed on egg cartons. Salmonella infection symptoms typically include fever, diarrhea—which may be bloody—nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Health officials warn that infection can be serious or fatal, particularly for young children, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Although thorough cooking and proper food handling can reduce risk, FDA and CDC stress that recalled eggs should not be consumed even if cooked.

This recall follows a pattern of recurring salmonella-related egg investigations and recalls overseen by the FDA in recent years, including cases involving August Egg Company and Country Eggs in 2025. The agency’s approach in this instance—conducting a multistate outbreak investigation, maintaining a public outbreak dashboard, and escalating the recall to Class I—aligns with standard federal protocols for managing high-risk foodborne illness outbreaks involving widely distributed products. The FDA continues to monitor the situation and will update guidance as the investigation progresses.

The recall includes both white shell eggs and brown cage-free shell eggs produced at two Midwest Poultry Services farms in Texas, officials said. The affected eggs were distributed under multiple major retail brands and private labels across at least six southern and southwestern states, including Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Mississippi, according to FDA reports and company notices. Retailers impacted by the recall include Kroger stores in Texas and Louisiana and Brookshire Grocery stores in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Mississippi.

The recalled eggs bear “sell-by” or “best-by” dates ranging from July 20 through August 17, 2026, with plant codes P-1950 or 840962 printed on the side of the cartons, according to the FDA.

Consumers are advised to check for three-digit Julian dates from 157 through 184 alongside the plant codes; only eggs matching all three identifiers—plant code, Julian date, and sell-by/best-by date—are included in the recall, Midwest Poultry Services and FDA notices state. Eggs produced outside these date ranges or bearing different plant codes are not subject to the recall.

Midwest Poultry Services announced the voluntary recall through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, emphasizing that no illnesses have been reported in connection with the recalled eggs. The company has halted distribution of eggs produced at its Texas farms while investigations and corrective actions are underway, FDA communications confirmed. The recall was initiated after environmental monitoring and root-cause analysis detected potential contamination with Salmonella Enteritidis at the production sites.

Salmonella Enteritidis is a strain commonly linked to egg-related foodborne illness outbreaks, the FDA said. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Salmonella infection typically causes diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps within six hours to six days after exposure, with illness lasting four to seven days. Severe cases can require hospitalization and pose increased risk to young children, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

The recall removes nearly 19 million individual eggs from the market, a preventive measure designed to reduce the risk of future illnesses. Midwest Poultry Services advised consumers not to consume the recalled eggs and to return them to the original place of purchase for a full refund. Public health officials recommend discarding any eggs that match the recall identifiers and sanitizing any surfaces or items that may have come into contact with the eggs using hot, soapy water or a dishwasher.

In recent years, health authorities have monitored a wave of egg recalls linked to Salmonella contamination, including a multistate outbreak associated with August Egg Company’s brown cage-free and organic eggs that resulted in 79 to 134 illnesses, 21 to 38 hospitalizations, and one death. The FDA continues to work with egg producers on corrective actions and preventive controls following contamination findings, including enhanced environmental sampling, process improvements, and hygiene measures.

Consumers experiencing severe symptoms such as persistent high fever, bloody diarrhea, or prolonged vomiting after consuming eggs are advised to seek medical attention, according to CDC guidance. Retailers and food service establishments are instructed not to sell or serve recalled eggs and to thoroughly clean and sanitize equipment and food-contact surfaces potentially exposed to the recalled products.

Midwest Poultry Services’ voluntary recall and distribution halt come as part of ongoing efforts to address potential contamination risks identified through environmental monitoring, officials said. The FDA and company representatives continue to investigate the source of contamination and implement measures to prevent future occurrences.