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Federal health officials have reported a salmonella outbreak linked to recalled eggs, sickening 98 people across 17 states. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed that these illnesses occurred between November 21 and June 30, with no fatalities but 26 hospitalizations so far.
The outbreak has been traced primarily to shell eggs recalled by Midwest Poultry Services, an Indiana-based company. While these eggs are a likely source, they do not explain every reported case.
The recalled eggs were produced and distributed from farms in Texas between June 6 and July 3 and were sold under various brand names. The eggs carry sell-by or best-by dates ranging from July 20 to August 17.
Retailers affected include Kroger stores in Texas and Louisiana, as well as Brookshire Grocery stores across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Mississippi. Testing conducted by Midwest Poultry at Texas farms confirmed the presence of salmonella, with genetic matches to the bacteria strain responsible for the illnesses.
Consumers are urged to check their refrigerators for these recalled eggs and either discard them or return them to the place of purchase for a refund.
Salmonella infection symptoms typically include diarrhea, fever, severe vomiting, dehydration, and stomach cramps. Most healthy individuals recover within a week; however, the infection can be more dangerous for young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems, who may require hospitalization.