FDA and CDC Investigate Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Recalled Shell Eggs

Federal health officials are investigating a multistate Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak linked in part to recalled shell eggs from Midwest Poultry Services, L.P. The July 2026 recall is practical news for shoppers because affected cartons may still be in home refrigerators, especially if families bought eggs in larger packs or moved eggs out of their original carton.

This article explains what the FDA and CDC have reported, which carton details matter, why Salmonella can be serious for some people, and how consumers, restaurants, and retailers can respond without panic. It is general food-safety information, not individualized medical advice.

What Changed This Week

On July 22, 2026, Midwest Poultry Services recalled 1,589,577 dozen white shell eggs and brown cage-free shell eggs because of possible Salmonella Enteritidis contamination. The FDA recall announcement for Midwest Poultry Services shell eggs says the eggs were produced and distributed from Texas farms between June 6 and July 3, 2026.

Two days later, CDC posted a dedicated outbreak advisory. The CDC Salmonella outbreak advisory linked to shell eggs says consumers should not eat recalled shell eggs and should throw them out or return them. FDA also posted an outbreak page reporting that the investigation is ongoing and that recalled eggs are a likely source for at least part of the outbreak.

Which Eggs Are Included

The recalled eggs were sold in bulk and retail sizes of 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, and 60 eggs. FDA and CDC identify the affected products as eggs with sell-by or best-by dates between July 20, 2026, and August 17, 2026. The agencies also identify two key codes: P-1950 or 0840962, with Julian dates between 157 and 184 printed on the side of the carton.

Recalled eggs were sold under multiple brand names, including Kroger, Simple Truth, Brookshire’s, Cal-Maine, Country Morning, and Sunups. Because the recall is defined by production codes and dates, the brand name alone is not enough to decide whether a carton is affected.

How To Check A Carton

Look on the left or right side of the carton for the plant or identifying code and the Julian date. If the carton has been discarded, or if eggs have been transferred into another container and you cannot verify the code, FDA’s outbreak page advises throwing the eggs away when they may be part of the recall.

Where The Eggs Were Distributed

The FDA outbreak update says recalled eggs were shipped to foodservice and retail customers in Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. The same FDA page reports that recalled eggs were available to consumers at Kroger stores in Texas and Louisiana; Brookshire Grocery stores in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana; and other smaller retail and foodservice outlets in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.

That distribution list is important, but it should not lead shoppers elsewhere to ignore clear carton matches. Food can move between households, be purchased while traveling, or be served by foodservice operations. If the carton details match, the safer step is to treat the eggs as recalled.

What FDA And CDC Know About The Outbreak

The FDA outbreak investigation page for Salmonella and eggs reports 98 illnesses across 17 states, 26 hospitalizations, and no deaths as of the July 24, 2026 update. FDA says illnesses started from November 21, 2025, through June 30, 2026, and that 40 of 44 people with available food-history information reported eating eggs before becoming ill.

FDA also reports that traceback, epidemiological information, laboratory findings, and third-party testing shared by the firm support recalled Midwest Poultry Services shell eggs as a likely source for some illnesses. The agency notes that the producer may not account for all illnesses, so additional investigation is continuing.

For consumers, the useful takeaway is narrow but important: match the carton codes, remove recalled eggs from use, and clean anything that may have touched them.

Why Salmonella Can Be More Than A Stomach Bug

Salmonella infection commonly causes diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, headache, and loss of appetite. The CDC symptoms page for Salmonella infection says symptoms usually begin 6 hours to 6 days after infection and usually last 4 to 7 days.

Many people recover without specific treatment, but some people can become seriously ill. CDC and FDA both identify young children, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems as more likely to have severe illness. FDA’s egg-safety page also includes pregnant people among those at greater risk for severe illness.

Safety note: anyone with bloody diarrhea, a high fever, persistent diarrhea or vomiting, signs of dehydration, or symptoms in a high-risk person should contact a healthcare professional promptly. This article cannot determine whether an individual’s symptoms are caused by Salmonella or by another condition.

Symptoms That Deserve Prompt Attention

• Diarrhea with a fever higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit
• Diarrhea or vomiting that lasts more than two days or is not improving
• Bloody diarrhea or signs of dehydration
• Vomiting that makes it hard to keep fluids down
• Symptoms in a young child, older adult, pregnant person, or immunocompromised person

What Consumers Should Do Now

CDC’s outbreak advisory and FDA’s outbreak page both tell consumers not to eat recalled shell eggs. Consumers can throw them away or return them to the place of purchase. FoodSafety.gov’s recall guidance similarly explains that when product details match a recall notice, consumers should not open or consume the product.

Use a simple, careful sequence:

1. Check the carton side for P-1950 or 0840962 and Julian dates 157 to 184.
2. Compare the best-by or sell-by date with July 20 through August 17, 2026.
3. If the details match, do not taste, cook, donate, or serve the eggs.
4. Throw the eggs away securely or return them to the seller if appropriate.
5. Wash and sanitize surfaces, refrigerator areas, containers, utensils, and hands that may have touched the eggs.

Practical note: cooking is not the recommended fix for recalled eggs. The agencies’ recall advice is to remove matching eggs from use, then clean areas that may have been exposed.

What Restaurants And Retailers Should Do

Restaurants and retailers in affected distribution areas should not sell or serve recalled shell eggs. FDA recommends that businesses which purchased or received recalled eggs carefully clean and sanitize surfaces or containers that may have touched them. This includes wholesale cartons, storage shelves, prep areas, and utensils that contacted raw eggs or containers.

Safe Egg Habits Still Matter After A Recall

Recalls address a specific product problem, but general egg safety remains useful year-round. The FDA egg safety guidance for consumers says fresh eggs can carry Salmonella even when shells look clean and uncracked. FDA recommends buying eggs only from refrigerated cases, keeping eggs refrigerated at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below, cooking eggs until yolks and whites are firm, and cooking dishes containing eggs thoroughly.

The FoodSafety.gov Salmonella and eggs guidance adds practical steps such as discarding cracked eggs, cooking egg dishes that do not contain meat or poultry to 160 degrees Fahrenheit, and considering pasteurized eggs for recipes that call for raw or lightly cooked eggs.

When Pasteurized Eggs May Be Useful

Pasteurized shell eggs or pasteurized egg products can be helpful for recipes that traditionally use raw or lightly cooked eggs, such as some dressings, desserts, or sauces. They do not replace recall instructions for affected cartons, but they can reduce risk in recipes where eggs are not fully cooked.

What Not To Assume

Do not assume an egg is safe because it looks normal, smells normal, or came from a familiar brand. Do not assume the recall applies to every egg in the country. Recalls are specific, and the details need to match. The FoodSafety.gov recalls and outbreaks page explains that recall details must match for a product to be considered part of a recall.

Also avoid treating the outbreak numbers as final. FDA explicitly describes the investigation as ongoing, and outbreak updates can change as states, laboratories, companies, and federal agencies share more information.

Bottom Line

The July 2026 shell egg recall is a concrete food-safety action item: check cartons for codes P-1950 or 0840962, Julian dates 157 to 184, and best-by or sell-by dates from July 20 through August 17, 2026. If eggs match the recall, do not eat them. Throw them away or return them, and clean surfaces or containers that may have touched them.

Most Salmonella infections are gastrointestinal, but severe illness can occur, particularly among young children, older adults, pregnant people, and people with weakened immune systems. People with concerning symptoms should seek medical guidance rather than trying to self-diagnose from a recall notice.

Sources

• FDA recall announcement: Midwest Poultry Services shell eggs
• FDA outbreak investigation: Salmonella and eggs, July 2026
• CDC outbreak advisory: Salmonella linked to shell eggs
• CDC Salmonella symptoms and when to call a doctor
• FDA egg safety guidance for consumers
• FoodSafety.gov recalls and outbreaks guidance
• FoodSafety.gov Salmonella and eggs guidance