FDA classifies Midwest Poultry egg recall as highest-risk after salmonella outbreak

The Food and Drug Administration on Aug. 12 elevated a voluntary recall of about 19 million white-shell and brown cage-free eggs to its highest-risk Class I level after the eggs were linked to a salmonella enteritidis outbreak. The eggs, produced at two Texas farms between June 6 and July 3, were sold under several grocery store brands and carried sell-by dates from July 20 to Aug. 17.

The outbreak has sickened at least 98 people, with 26 hospitalizations, and cases have been reported in 17 states, including Texas, Michigan and New York. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted that illnesses began as early as Nov. 21, 2025, and continued through June 30, 2026, with 40 of 44 interviewed patients reporting egg consumption.

"What you’re seeing in the news today is not a new recall," said Emily Metz, president and CEO of the American Egg Board, adding that the company's voluntary recall is already complete.

Midwest Poultry Services, which could not be reached for comment, said it identified potential contamination through environmental monitoring and root-cause analysis, and that third-party whole-genome sequencing matched some samples to the outbreak strain. The company stopped distributing fresh eggs from the affected farms in July.

Kroger announced that all eggs currently on its shelves are sourced from a different production facility. Health officials warn that salmonella can cause diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps, with children, older adults and immunocompromised individuals at higher risk of severe illness.