A salmonella outbreak linked to a large egg recall has made dozens of people sick in seven states in the West and Midwest, federal health officials said Saturday.
The August Egg Company recalled about 1.7 million brown organic and brown cage-free egg varieties distributed to grocery stores between February and May because of the potential for salmonella, according to a posted announcement Friday on the Food and Drug Administration’s website.
At least 79 people in seven states have gotten a strain of salmonella that was linked to the eggs, and 21 people have been hospitalized. the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
The recall covers Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Washington and Wyoming. A list of brands and plant codes or Julian dates can be found on the FDA and CDC websites.
According to the Centers for Disease control, in 2024, 13 outbreaks were lined to food-related illnesses resulting in 19 deaths — double the number from 2023.
According to industry experts, the USDA has lost a great deal of its ability to effectively inspect food supply chains due to mass firings and changes to relax regulations.
According to the CDC, the most common pathogens associated with recalls were salmonella, listeria, and E. coli.
Symptoms of salmonella poisoning include diarrhea, fever, severe vomiting, dehydration and stomach cramps. Most people who get sick recover within a week.
Infections can be severe in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems, who may require hospitalization.
The CDC advises people to throw away recalled eggs or return them to the store where they were purchased. Consumers should also wash and disinfect any surfaces that came in contact with the eggs.
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