FDA Class I Egg Recall: What Consumers Need to Know About the Latest Egg Recall
A major egg recall in the United States has been elevated to the FDA's highest-risk Class I category, putting consumers on alert over the potential for Salmonella Enteritidis contamination. The recall involves nearly 1.6 million dozen shell eggs, or more than 19 million individual eggs, produced by Midwest Poultry Services at farms in Texas.
The eggs were initially recalled in July 2026, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has since classified the recall as Class I. Under FDA rules, a Class I recall is used when there is a reasonable probability that exposure to a recalled product could cause serious adverse health consequences or death.
The development is particularly important because federal health officials are simultaneously investigating a multistate Salmonella outbreak. The FDA reported 98 people infected with the outbreak strain across 17 states, with 26 hospitalizations and no deaths reported as of its July 24 update. Investigators determined that the recalled Midwest Poultry Services eggs were a likely source of some illnesses, although the agency said the eggs do not account for all cases and the investigation remains ongoing.
For consumers, the most important question is simple: Are the eggs in your refrigerator part of the recall?
What Is the FDA Class I Egg Recall?
The recall involves white shell eggs and brown cage-free shell eggs produced and distributed by Midwest Poultry Services, L.P. from farms in Texas between June 6 and July 3, 2026.
The company announced the voluntary recall on July 22 after testing identified the potential for Salmonella Enteritidis contamination. According to the FDA, the recall covers 1,589,577 dozen eggs. The affected eggs were distributed through retail and foodservice channels in several states.
The products were sold under multiple brand names, which means consumers should not assume that an egg carton is safe simply because it does not carry the Midwest Poultry name.
Affected brands include Kroger, Simple Truth, Brookshire's, Country Morning and Sunups. The recalled products were sold in different package sizes, including cartons and bulk foodservice quantities.
The recall is now classified as Class I, the most serious FDA recall category. Importantly, Class I does not mean that every egg in the recalled lot is contaminated or that everyone who eats one will become seriously ill. Rather, the classification reflects the potential severity of the health hazard if consumers are exposed to the contaminated product.
Why Were the Eggs Recalled?
The primary concern is Salmonella Enteritidis, a type of Salmonella bacteria that can cause foodborne illness.
The FDA said Midwest Poultry Services shared third-party testing results with the agency after samples collected at farms in Texas tested positive for Salmonella. Whole-genome sequencing performed by the firm's laboratory found that some samples matched the outbreak strain under investigation.
Federal investigators also conducted traceback work based on where people who became ill reported purchasing or consuming eggs. Midwest Poultry Services was identified as a common egg source, leading investigators to determine that the recalled eggs were a likely source of illnesses associated with the outbreak.
However, the FDA has emphasized that the investigation is not finished. The agency said the Midwest Poultry products do not account for all of the illnesses and that additional sources may still be under investigation.
That distinction matters because consumers should not interpret the recall as evidence that every Salmonella illness reported in the country came from these eggs.
How Many People Have Become Sick?
The FDA's July 24 outbreak update reported 98 illnesses across 17 states, including 26 hospitalizations. No deaths had been reported at that time. The illnesses began between November 21, 2025, and June 30, 2026.
The agency also reported that 40 of 44 people for whom information was available said they had eaten eggs before becoming ill.
These numbers are part of an ongoing investigation, so they may change as additional illnesses are identified and investigated.
Salmonella infections can range from relatively mild gastrointestinal illness to serious disease. According to the FDA, symptoms commonly include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. Symptoms typically begin within 12 to 72 hours after consuming contaminated food and often last four to seven days.
Young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop severe infections.
Which Eggs Are Included in the Recall?
Consumers should check the carton rather than relying only on the brand name.
According to the FDA, recalled eggs have identifying information printed on the side of the carton in date-coding ink. The affected products carry one of two identifying codes:
P-1950
0840962
The Julian dates associated with the recall range from 157 through 184. The affected eggs have sell-by or best-by dates ranging from July 20 through August 17, 2026.
The FDA lists numerous package sizes, including 6-, 12-, 18-, 24-, 30-, 36- and 60-egg packages, as well as larger bulk foodservice packages.
Some of the affected retail products include Kroger eggs, Simple Truth cage-free brown eggs, Brookshire's eggs, Country Morning eggs and Sunups eggs.
Because the list includes several different brands and package sizes, consumers should compare the plant code, Julian date, product description and other identifying information with the official FDA recall notice.
Where Were the Recalled Eggs Sold?
The FDA confirmed distribution of the recalled eggs to foodservice and retail customers in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana, with retail availability extending through specific store networks into additional states.
Kroger stores in Texas and Louisiana carried affected eggs. Brookshire Grocery stores in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Mississippi also received recalled products. Other smaller retail and foodservice outlets in the region may have received the eggs as well.
The FDA has cautioned that confirmed distribution states do not necessarily establish the complete geographic reach of every recalled product. Consumers who purchased eggs from the listed brands and date ranges should therefore check the package carefully rather than assuming the product is unaffected.
What Should Consumers Do If They Have Recalled Eggs?
The FDA's recommendation is straightforward: do not eat recalled eggs.
Consumers who find a matching carton should throw the eggs away or return them to the place of purchase for a refund. If eggs were removed from their original packaging and the consumer cannot determine whether they are part of the recall, the FDA advises throwing them away rather than taking a chance.
Do not give recalled eggs to another person, a food bank or a pet. The FDA's general food-recall guidance recommends disposing of contaminated food safely and following the specific instructions included in the recall notice.
Consumers should also remember that simply throwing away the eggs may not be enough if raw egg contents have contacted other surfaces.
How to Clean Your Refrigerator and Kitchen
Salmonella can spread through cross-contamination, particularly when raw food comes into contact with countertops, refrigerator shelves, cutting boards, utensils or containers.
The FDA recommends carefully cleaning and sanitizing surfaces and containers that may have been exposed to recalled eggs. Hands, utensils and food-preparation surfaces should be washed with hot, soapy water before and after handling raw eggs or foods containing raw eggs.
The agency's general food-recall guidance also recommends washing refrigerator interiors, shelves, cutting boards, countertops and utensils that may have contacted contaminated food, followed by appropriate sanitization.
This step is important because a contaminated carton or egg can potentially spread bacteria beyond the product itself.
What Are the Symptoms of Salmonella?
People who consume Salmonella-contaminated food may develop symptoms within several hours to a few days.
Common symptoms include:
Diarrhea
Fever
Abdominal cramps
Nausea
Vomiting
The FDA says illness usually occurs within 12 to 72 hours after exposure and often lasts approximately four to seven days.
Most people recover without serious complications, but Salmonella can become dangerous in certain groups. Young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems face a higher risk of severe illness.
Anyone who develops symptoms after potentially consuming recalled eggs should contact a healthcare provider. The FDA specifically advises consumers experiencing symptoms to contact their healthcare provider and report the illness.
Does Cooking Eggs Make Them Safe?
Consumers should not attempt to rescue recalled eggs by cooking them.
The safest approach is to follow the FDA recall instructions and discard or return any product that matches the recall information.
In general, properly cooking eggs is an important part of reducing the risk of Salmonella from ordinary egg consumption. However, once a specific product has been recalled because of potential contamination, consumers should not rely on cooking as a reason to continue using that recalled product.
The purpose of a recall is to remove potentially hazardous food from the consumer supply rather than asking consumers to determine whether a particular egg is safe through preparation.
Why Is the Class I Designation Important?
The phrase “Class I recall” has attracted significant attention because it represents the FDA's highest level of recall classification.
The FDA explains that Class I applies when there is a reasonable probability that using or being exposed to a violative product could cause serious adverse health consequences or death. Class II recalls involve less serious risks, while Class III recalls involve products that are not likely to cause adverse health consequences.
The classification therefore tells consumers that the egg recall should be taken seriously.
At the same time, it should not be interpreted as proof that every recalled carton contains Salmonella. The classification describes the level of potential health hazard associated with the recalled product, not the contamination status of every individual egg.
Is the Egg Recall Still Ongoing?
The FDA's outbreak investigation remains ongoing.
The agency said it will update its advisory as additional information becomes available. Investigators are continuing to examine the outbreak to determine whether other food sources may be responsible for some of the illnesses that have not been explained by the Midwest Poultry Services recall.
For consumers, that means recall information can change. New products, dates, stores or distribution details could potentially be added if investigators uncover additional information.
Anyone who regularly buys eggs should therefore check the FDA's recall and food-safety resources rather than relying solely on older social media posts or screenshots circulating online.
What Consumers Should Remember
The latest FDA egg recall is significant because it combines a large number of affected products with an ongoing Salmonella investigation.
The recalled eggs were produced in Texas by Midwest Poultry Services and distributed under multiple brands. The affected products include white shell eggs and brown cage-free shell eggs with specific plant codes and Julian dates.
The key identification details are:
Plant codes: P-1950 or 0840962
Julian dates: 157 through 184
Sell-by/best-by dates: July 20 through August 17, 2026
Major brands: Kroger, Simple Truth, Brookshire's, Country Morning and Sunups
The FDA has classified the recall as Class I, meaning the potential health consequences are considered serious enough to warrant the highest recall classification.
Consumers who find matching eggs should not eat them. They should return them for a refund or safely discard them and clean any surfaces that may have come into contact with the eggs.
Final Takeaway
The FDA Class I egg recall is a food-safety warning that consumers should take seriously, particularly those living in states where the recalled products were distributed.
The recall involves nearly 1.6 million dozen eggs that may be contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis. Federal investigators have linked the recalled eggs, in part, to a multistate outbreak involving 98 reported illnesses and 26 hospitalizations as of the FDA's July 24 update. No deaths had been reported at that time, and the investigation continues.
If you have eggs in your refrigerator, check the carton before using them. Look for the affected plant codes, Julian dates and sell-by or best-by dates. If your eggs match the recall information, do not eat them.
The safest response is to follow the FDA's instructions, dispose of or return the recalled eggs, thoroughly clean potentially contaminated surfaces and seek medical advice if Salmonella symptoms develop.
For the latest information, consumers should rely on official FDA recall updates because the investigation remains active and additional information may be released as health officials continue their work.
