The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has assigned a Class I designation to a recall of nearly 1.6 million cartons of eggs distributed by Midwest Poultry Services due to potential Salmonella Enteritidis contamination, according to federal regulatory filings and CBS News. The highest-risk classification applies to white-shell and brown cage-free shell eggs produced at the company’s Texas farms and shipped to retailers across six states.
Recall Details and Affected Retailers
According to CBS News, the recalled eggs were produced and distributed between June 6 and July 3. The products feature sell-by or best-by dates ranging from July 20 to August 17. The affected cartons were sold under multiple brand names, including Kroger, Simple Truth, Brookshire’s, Country Morning, and Sunups.
Distribution reached retail outlets in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Brookshire Grocery stores received shipments across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. Kroger and Brookshire locations in Texas, alongside Kroger stores in Louisiana, also stocked the affected items, alongside various smaller independent retailers noted by the FDA.
Health Risks and Company Response
Salmonella Enteritidis can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in vulnerable populations, including young children, frail or elderly people, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Symptoms in healthy individuals typically include fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
Midwest Poultry Services initiated the action after identifying the issue through internal environmental monitoring practices and root cause analysis at its two Texas facilities, according to CBS News. The company has paused fresh egg distribution from those farms. No illnesses had been reported in connection with the eggs at the time of the announcement. Consumers possessing the affected products are advised not to consume them and should return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.