19 Million Eggs Recalled Over Salmonella Contamination Fears

Midwest Poultry Services (MPS) announced a voluntary recall of 1,589,577 dozen eggs, totaling over 19 million eggs, on July 22, due to potential contamination with Salmonella Enteritidis. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted the recall notice, which identified the possible contamination at two MPS farms in Texas through proactive environmental monitoring and root cause analysis. As a result, the company has ceased distribution of fresh eggs from these Texas facilities. MPS stated it is not aware of any specific illnesses linked to its products.

Salmonella Enteritidis is a subtype of Salmonella bacteria that can cause severe illness in humans. According to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), eggs can become infected with Salmonella Enteritidis either while still forming within the hen before the shell develops, during the egg-laying process where the shell becomes contaminated, or after laying if the bacteria enters the egg through its pores. This means the bacteria can be present on the shell or within the yolk and egg whites.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that symptoms of a Salmonella infection typically include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, usually appearing 6 hours to 6 days after infection and lasting 4 to 7 days. Most individuals recover without specific treatment, but severe cases may require hospitalization, particularly for young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. The recall impacts eggs sold under various brands at retailers including Kroger, Food Lion, and Walmart, with specific product codes and expiration dates listed in the FDA's recall announcement.