More than 70 people across seven states have been sickened due to a salmonella outbreak tied to eggs distributed by California-based August Egg Company. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported the outbreak, prompting the company to recall 1.7 million dozen brown cage-free and certified organic eggs that could be contaminated.
Infected Eggs Sold in Nine States, Salmonella Poses Serious Health Risks Nationwide
Among the 79 people infected, 21 have been hospitalized, though no deaths have been reported. The affected eggs were sold in Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Washington, and Wyoming. These eggs reached consumers through major retailers and restaurants, including Walmart, Safeway, Food 4 Less, Ralphs, and others.
Salmonella Outbreak Linked to August Egg Company Triggers Recall of 1.7 Million Dozen EggsSalmonella infection can cause serious and sometimes life-threatening illness, especially in young children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Common symptoms in healthy people include fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The FDA has emphasized the potential dangers of contaminated eggs.
August Egg Halts Sales, Shifts to Pasteurization, Urges Public to Discard Eggs
August Egg Company has voluntarily stopped selling fresh shell eggs and has been redirecting all eggs to a pasteurization plant for over a month to kill any pathogens. The company is also conducting a comprehensive internal review to identify improvements and prevent future contamination, pledging full commitment to corrective actions.
The CDC advises anyone who has the recalled eggs to either discard them or return them to the store where they were purchased. This precaution aims to reduce further illness and prevent additional spread of salmonella while investigations and safety reviews continue.
