The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified a nationwide recall of approximately 19 million eggs as Class I, the agency's highest risk level, due to potential Salmonella Enteritidis contamination. This designation signifies a reasonable probability that the consumption of these eggs could lead to serious adverse health consequences or death.
The recall was initiated three weeks ago by Midwest Poultry Services. The affected eggs were produced at farms in Texas between June 6 and July 3. They bear sell-by or best-by dates between July 20, 2026, and August 17, 2026. Distribution occurred in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
This escalated risk classification comes as health officials investigate a multistate outbreak linked to Salmonella Enteritidis. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 98 people across 17 states have been infected. Of those cases, 26 individuals have been hospitalized, though no deaths have been reported.
Symptoms of Salmonella infection typically appear 12 to 72 hours after consuming contaminated food and can last four to seven days. Individuals under 5 years old, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems are considered more vulnerable to severe reactions. While this recall involves shell eggs, the FDA emphasizes ongoing efforts to protect public health from foodborne illnesses.