FDA Upgrades Egg Recall to Class I as Salmonella Sickens 98 Across 17 States

The FDA upgraded a recall of 1.6 million dozen eggs to Class I, its highest risk classification, on Wednesday. The eggs from Midwest Poultry Services in Texas were linked to a salmonella outbreak that sickened 98 people across 17 states, with 26 hospitalizations reported. The recalled eggs carry best-by and sell-by dates through August 17 and were sold at Kroger and Brookshire Grocery stores across the South and Southwest.

What Class I means and why the upgrade matters

A Class I recall signals “a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death,” according to FDA definition. The agency often classifies recalls days or weeks after a company first announces the voluntary action, so the upgrade does not necessarily mean the outbreak has worsened. No deaths have been reported from this outbreak.

Which eggs are affected and where they were sold

The recalled white and brown cage-free eggs were produced at two Texas farms between June 6 and July 3. They can be identified by code P-1950 or 0840962 with a Julian date between 157 and 184 printed in date-coding ink on the carton. The eggs were sold at Kroger stores in Texas and Louisiana and Brookshire Grocery locations in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Mississippi, plus other smaller retail outlets and food service customers.

The outbreak timeline and affected states

Midwest Poultry Services identified the salmonella risk through routine environmental testing and voluntarily recalled the eggs on July 22. Illnesses were reported between November 21, 2025, and June 30, 2026. Texas accounted for 73 of the 98 cases. The remaining 25 cases were spread across California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Illinois, Minnesota, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, New York, and West Virginia.

What consumers should do

Midwest Poultry Services advised customers not to consume the recalled eggs and to return the product to its original place of purchase for a full refund. The company ceased distribution of fresh eggs from its Texas farms as of July 22. Salmonella causes diarrhea, fever, and stomach pain; most cases resolve on their own, but some people become severely dehydrated and require hospitalization.

Final Thoughts

With nearly 100 cases and 26 hospitalizations tied to recalled eggs still on shelves through August 17, consumers in affected states should check carton codes and return any matching products immediately. The Class I designation reflects the serious health risk, though no deaths have occurred.

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