Midwest Poultry Services issued a major product recall on July 22 for nearly 1.6 million dozen eggs over a salmonella outbreak that has sickened 98 people across 17 states, according to the CDC and FDA. The recall covers approximately 19 million individual white shell and brown cage-free eggs produced at Texas farms between June 6 and July 3, 2026, with sell-by dates ranging from July 20 through August 17, 2026.
The eggs were distributed across multiple states and sold under popular brand names including Kroger, Simple Truth, Brookshire’s, Country Morning, and Cal-Maine. Recalled eggs were available at Kroger stores in Texas and Louisiana; Brookshire Grocery stores in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana; and smaller retail and foodservice outlets in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Arkansas.
The outbreak strain of Salmonella enteritidis has caused illnesses dating back to November 21, 2025, with the most recent case reported on June 30, 2026. Of the 44 ill persons with available information, 40 (91%) reported eating eggs before becoming sick, according to the FDA. There have been 26 hospitalizations and no deaths reported.
Midwest Poultry Services identified the contamination through routine environmental monitoring at its Texas farms and shared third-party testing results with the FDA on July 21, 2026. Whole genome sequencing confirmed that samples from the farms matched the strain of Salmonella in the outbreak. The company proactively initiated the recall after discovering the contamination.
Consumers can identify recalled eggs by checking for plant codes P-1950 or 0840962 with a Julian Date between 157 and 184 printed on the side of the carton. The FDA recommends that consumers check their refrigerators for recalled eggs and either throw them away or return them to their place of purchase for a refund. Anyone who stored eggs without original packaging and cannot determine if they are part of the recall should discard them.
The CDC advises that consumers should wash items and surfaces that may have touched recalled shell eggs using hot soapy water or a dishwasher. Symptoms of Salmonella infection typically appear within 12 to 72 hours and include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, usually lasting four to seven days. Children under five, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for severe illness requiring hospitalization.
Historical Context: The 2010 Egg Recall
This outbreak is not the first major salmonella crisis linked to eggs in the United States. In August 2010, a salmonella outbreak centered on Iowa egg producers led to a recall of more than 550 million eggs, one of the largest food recalls in U.S. history. That outbreak sickened more than 1,400 people nationwide and prompted sweeping changes to food safety protocols at egg production facilities.
The 2010 recall, which involved Wright County Egg and Hillandale Farms, resulted in widespread public awareness about salmonella risks and led to stricter FDA regulations on egg safety, including environmental monitoring and sanitation requirements at farms—standards that Midwest Poultry Services employed in identifying the current contamination.
Midwest Poultry Services has halted distribution of eggs produced on its affected Texas farms. The FDA and CDC continue investigating whether additional sources may have contributed to the outbreak, as the recalled eggs do not account for all reported illnesses.
Sources
- CDC — Fast facts on the salmonella outbreak, case counts, hospitalizations, and consumer guidance
- FDA — Outbreak investigation details, affected products, brand names, plant codes, and distribution information
- CBS News — 2010 egg recall context and historical precedent
