Over 2 million eggs voluntarily recalled due to potential Salmonella contamination
In a significant development, August Egg Co., based in Hilmar, California, has recalled approximately 1.7 million dozen eggs due to potential contamination with Salmonella. The recall, which was announced in May 2023, affects brown cage-free and brown certified organic eggs sold under various brand names and distributed across multiple states.
The affected eggs were sold in grocery stores, including Walmart, Raley's, Safeway, FoodMaxx, Smart & Final, Save Mart, Lucky, Food 4 Less, and Ralphs. The eggs were distributed in states such as Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Washington, and Wyoming.
The recall is linked to an ongoing multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections, which is being investigated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and public health officials. As of June 6, there were 79 cases of Salmonella in seven states, with 21 hospitalizations.
The recalled eggs can be identified by plant codes P-6562 or CA-5330, Julian dates between 032 and 126, and sell-by dates ranging from March 4 to June 4, 2025, for California and Nevada distribution, and from March 4 to June 19 for Walmart distribution.
August Egg Co. isn't selling fresh shell eggs at this time and has been diverting them to an egg-breaking plant for more than 30 days to pasteurize them. The company has committed to addressing the matter fully and implementing corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
It's important to note that Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in vulnerable individuals, and healthy persons may experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare cases, Salmonella infection can lead to more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis, and arthritis.
Consumers who have the recalled eggs should return them to their place of purchase for a full refund. A full list of recalled products can be found on the FDA website. The recall doesn't involve any products from the Grocery Outlet, Market 32/Price Chopper, or Natural Grocers.
August Egg Co.'s internal food safety team is conducting a review to identify measures for preventing future Salmonella outbreaks. The company hasn't mentioned any specific brand names in the recall.
The eggs were distributed from February 3 to May 15 in California and Nevada, and were sold at Save Mart, FoodMaxx, Lucky, Smart & Final, Safeway, Raleys, Food 4 Less, and Ralphs. They were also distributed from February 3 to May 6 to Walmart locations in California, Washington state, Nevada, Arizona, Wyoming, New Mexico, Nebraska, Indiana, and Illinois.
Individuals who have consumed these eggs and are experiencing symptoms of Salmonella infection are advised to seek medical attention immediately. For more information about the recall, consumers can visit the FDA's website or contact August Egg Co. directly.
Food safety is a concern following the Salmonella outbreak associated with August Egg Co.'s recalled eggs, particularly those sold under various brand names at grocery stores like Walmart, Raley's, Safeway, FoodMaxx, Smart & Final, Save Mart, Lucky, Food 4 Less, and Ralphs. This recall, related to an ongoing multistate investigation, is affecting multiple states, including Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Washington, and Wyoming. Health-and-wellness advocates urge consumers to return the recalled eggs for a full refund, as Salmonella can cause serious infections, especially in vulnerable individuals. For more details on the recall, visit the FDA's website or contact August Egg Co. directly. Meanwhile, science and lifestyle enthusiasts interest themselves in the ongoing investigation, keeping abreast of general news updates about food-and-drink safety.