Midwest Poultry Services is recalling nearly 1.6 million dozen eggs over potential salmonella enteritidis contamination, the Food and Drug Administration announced Wednesday. The Texas-based producer identified the issue through proactive environmental monitoring at its two Texas farms and has halted fresh egg distribution from those facilities.
The recalled eggs, 1,589,577 dozen in total, were produced between June 6 and July 3, 2026, and carry sell-by or best-by dates between July 20 and August 17. They were distributed under multiple brand names—including Kroger, Simple Truth Cage Free, Brookshire’s, Country Morning, and Sunups—at Kroger stores in Texas and Louisiana, Brookshire’s locations across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Mississippi, and smaller retail outlets.
Consumers can identify affected eggs by checking for plant codes P-1950 or 0840962 and Julian dates between 157 and 184 printed on the side of the carton. The company advised customers who purchased the recalled eggs to return them for a full refund and not to consume them.
Salmonella enteritidis can contaminate eggs through two pathways. When laying hens become infected, the bacteria can invade their ovaries and oviducts, depositing salmonella directly inside developing eggs. Alternatively, eggs can be contaminated externally when they contact bird droppings during and after laying, with the bacteria potentially penetrating through the shell’s pores. Contaminated eggs often appear normal to the naked eye.
No illnesses have been reported in connection with these recalled eggs. However, salmonella can cause serious infections, particularly in young children, elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, typically beginning between six hours and six days after exposure. Most people recover within four to seven days without treatment, though severe cases may require hospitalization.
The current recall is significantly smaller than a major precedent. In 2010, two Iowa egg producers recalled 550 million eggs after a salmonella outbreak sickened thousands of people across the country. That outbreak led to criminal charges and civil settlements, with one company fined $6.8 million. The 2010 outbreak highlighted widespread contamination linked to poor farm sanitation, including rodent infestations and equipment covered in grime.
The current recall from Midwest Poultry differs in that the company proactively detected the contamination risk before widespread illness occurred. The FDA and CDC advise consumers not to eat, sell, or serve the recalled eggs and to wash hands, utensils, and surfaces thoroughly after handling raw eggs and raw egg-containing foods. Cooking eggs to a safe internal temperature—thoroughly heating both the white and yolk—eliminates salmonella risk.
Sources
- WFAA — Details on the recall scope, affected brands, store locations, and salmonella health risks.
- The Hill — Comprehensive product list, plant codes, Julian dates, and health information on salmonella infections.
- Yahoo News — Announcement of the recall and production dates.
- Wattagnet — Confirmation of the exact number of dozen eggs recalled and production timeline.
- CBS News — Historical context on the 2010 Iowa egg recall and salmonella outbreak scale.
- PubMed Central / NIH — Scientific mechanism of salmonella enteritidis contamination in eggs through ovarian and oviductal infection.
- Marler Clark Law — Details on how salmonella contaminates eggs externally through shell penetration and internally through infected reproductive organs.
- CDC — Salmonella infection symptoms, treatment, and prevention guidance.
