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Monday, June 9, 2025

Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Eggs Impacts 79, CA Firm Recalls Implicated Eggs

FDA and CDC report that there is an ongoing Salmonella outbreak related to raw eggs distributed by the August Egg Company of Hilmar, CA.  To this point, there have been  a total of 79 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella from seven states.  There have been 21 hospitalizations, and no deaths have been reported. "Illnesses started on dates ranging from February 24, 2025, to May 17, 2025. Twenty-seven of 30 cases with information available reported exposure to eggs or an egg containing dish before becoming ill."

FDA also conducted an inspection and collected environmental samples at August Egg Company’s processing facility. Two samples from this inspection were positive for Salmonella and found to be a Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) match to the strain of Salmonella causing illnesses in this outbreak.

"Based on WGS analysis, bacteria from 79 people's samples predicted resistance to nalidixic acid and nonsusceptibility to ciprofloxacin (NSC); this NSC strain is related to a strain of Salmonella Enteritidis isolated from chicken, eggs, and backyard poultry. One person's samples also predicted an additional resistance to ampicillin and streptomycin. Most people with Salmonella illness recover without antibiotics. However, if antibiotics are needed, some illnesses in this outbreak may not be treatable with some commonly recommended antibiotics and may require a different antibiotic choice."

August Egg Company of Hilmar, CA is recalling 1,700,000 dozen brown cage free and brown certified organic eggs.  "Recalled brown cage free eggs and brown certified organic eggs were distributed from February 3, 2025, through May 15, 2025, with sell by dates from March 4, 2025, to June 4, 2025, in California and Nevada to retail locations including Save Mart, FoodMaxx, Lucky, Smart & Final, Safeway, Raleys, Food 4 Less, and Ralphs.  The eggs were also distributed from February 3, 2025, through May 6, 2025, with sell by dates from March 4, 2025, to June 19, 2025, to Walmart locations in California, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Wyoming, New Mexico, Nebraska, Indiana, and Illinois."
August Egg Company began diverting all eggs to an egg breaker in May 2025. This breaking facility processes eggs to eliminate the Salmonella risk.

FDA
https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-eggs-june-2025
Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella: Eggs (June 2025)

Do no eat, sell, or serve recalled chicken eggs distributed by August Egg Company. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.

Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 79
Hospitalizations: 21
Deaths: 0
Last Illness Onset: May 17, 2025
States with Cases: AZ, CA, KY, NE, NJ, NV, WA
Product Distribution*: AZ, CA, IL, IN, NE, NM, NV, WA, WY
*Distribution has been confirmed for states listed, but product could have been distributed further, reaching additional states

Product:  Recalled brown cage free eggs and brown certified organic eggs were sold under multiple different brand names at restaurants and retailers. These eggs should no longer be available for sale. Recalled brown cage free eggs and brown certified organic eggs were supplied by August Egg Company, Hilmar, CA.

The recalled eggs have a printed Julian Date between “32” and “126” followed by a plant code number “P-6562” or “CA-5330” on the egg carton or package. The recalled eggs sold at retail stores are packed in fiber or plastic cartons, with the above codes printed on one side of the carton.

Brands the recalled eggs were sold under include: Clover, First Street, Nulaid, O Organics, Marketside, Raleys, Simple Truth, Sun Harvest, and Sunnyside.

Stores Affected  -  Recalled brown cage free eggs and brown certified organic eggs were distributed from February 3, 2025, through May 15, 2025, with sell by dates from March 4, 2025, to June 4, 2025, in California and Nevada to retail locations including Save Mart, FoodMaxx, Lucky, Smart & Final, Safeway, Raleys, Food 4 Less, and Ralphs.

The eggs were also distributed from February 3, 2025, through May 6, 2025, with sell by dates from March 4, 2025, to June 19, 2025, to Walmart locations in California, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Wyoming, New Mexico, Nebraska, Indiana, and Illinois.

FDA is working with the firm to determine if eggs were distributed elsewhere and will update the advisory as information becomes available.

Current Update
June 5, 2025

The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating illnesses in a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections linked to brown cage free eggs and brown certified organic eggs supplied by August Egg Company, Hilmar, CA.

Based on epidemiological information collected by CDC, a total of 79 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella have been reported from seven states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from February 24, 2025, to May 17, 2025. Twenty-seven of 30 cases with information available reported exposure to eggs or an egg containing dish before becoming ill. There have been 21 hospitalizations, and no deaths have been reported.

As part of this investigation, FDA conducted traceback based on where ill people reported shopping or eating eggs/egg-containing dishes during the timeframe of interest, and August Egg Company was identified as a common supplier. FDA also conducted an inspection and collected environmental samples at August Egg Company’s processing facility. Two samples from this inspection were positive for Salmonella and found to be a Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) match to the strain of Salmonella causing illnesses in this outbreak.

AUbugust Egg Company began diverting all eggs to an egg breaker in May 2025. This breaking facility processes eggs to eliminate the Salmonella risk.

Additionally, in response to this investigation, August Egg Company agreed to recall all brown cage free eggs and brown certified organic eggs that could potentially be in peoples' homes. Consumers should check their refrigerators for the recalled eggs and should return it to their place of purchase for a full refund. Refer to August Egg Company’s recall announcement for more information.

CDC
https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/outbreaks/eggs-06-25/investigation.html
Investigation Update: Salmonella Outbreak, Eggs, June 2025

June 6, 2025

CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are collecting different types of data to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections.

Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback data show that eggs distributed by August Egg Company may be contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis and may be making people sick.

Epidemiologic Data

As of June 5, 2025, a total of 79 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella have been reported from 7 states. Six sick people reported traveling to California or Nevada in the week before they got sick. Illnesses started on dates ranging from February 24, 2025 to May 17, 2025. Of the 61 people with information available, 21 have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

The true number of sick people in this outbreak was likely much higher than the number reported, and this outbreak may not have been limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.

Public health officials collect many different types of information from sick people, including their age, race, ethnicity, other demographics, and the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. This information provides clues to help investigators identify the source of the outbreak.

The table below has information about sick people in this outbreak ("n" is the number of people with information available for each demographic).

Demographics
Information
Age  (n=79)  Range from 1 to 90 years  Median age of 48
Sex  (n=79)  59% female  41% male
Race  (n=42)
94% White
2% African American/Black
2% Asian
2% reported more than one race
Ethnicity  (n=53)
74% non-Hispanic
26% Hispanic

State and local public health officials are interviewing people about the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. Of the 30 people interviewed, 27 (90%) reported eating eggs. State health officials identified illness sub-clusters at two restaurants. An illness sub-cluster is a group of unrelated sick people who all ate at the same location or event, such as a restaurant. Investigating sub-clusters can help identify a food item eaten by all the sick people that could be the source of the outbreak. Eggs were served at both sub-cluster locations.

Laboratory and Traceback Data

Public health investigators are using the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that may be part of this outbreak. CDC PulseNet manages a national database of DNA fingerprints of bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses. DNA fingerprinting is performed on bacteria using a method called whole genome sequencing (WGS). WGS showed that bacteria from sick people's samples are closely related genetically. This suggests that people in this outbreak got sick from the same food.

FDA conducted an inspection at August Egg Company's processing facility and collected samples for testing. Some samples tested positive for Salmonella. WGS showed that the Salmonella in the samples are closely related to Salmonella from sick people.

Based on WGS analysis, bacteria from 79 people's samples predicted resistance to nalidixic acid and nonsusceptibility to ciprofloxacin (NSC); this NSC strain is related to a strain of Salmonella Enteritidis isolated from chicken, eggs, and backyard poultry. One person's samples also predicted an additional resistance to ampicillin and streptomycin. Most people with Salmonella illness recover without antibiotics. However, if antibiotics are needed, some illnesses in this outbreak may not be treatable with some commonly recommended antibiotics and may require a different antibiotic choice. More information is available at the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) site.

People reported buying many different brands of eggs from multiple stores. FDA conducted a traceback investigation based on where the ill people reported shopping or eating during the timeframe of interest, and August Egg Company was identified as a common supplier of eggs.

Ill people in Kentucky, New Jersey, and Washington reported traveling to California and Nevada before they got sick.

Public Health Actions

On June 6, 2025, August Egg Company recalled eggs. CDC is advising people not eat, sell, or serve recalled eggs.
FDA’s investigation is ongoing. Information will be added to this advisory as needed.

FDA Recall Notice
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/august-egg-company-recalls-shell-eggs-because-possible-health-risk
August Egg Company Recalls Shell Eggs Because of Possible Health Risk

Summary
Company Announcement Date:  June 06, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  June 06, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Salmonella
Company Name:  August Egg Company
Brand Name:   Multiple brand names
Product Description:  Brown cage free and brown certified organic eggs

Company Announcement

August Egg Company of Hilmar, CA is recalling 1,700,000 dozen brown cage free and brown certified organic eggs, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The eggs were distributed from February 3, 2025, through May 15, 2025, with sell by dates from March 4, 2025, to June 4, 2025, within California and Nevada. The eggs were distributed at retail locations including Save Mart, FoodMaxx, Lucky, Smart & Final, Safeway, Raleys, Food 4 Less and Ralphs.

The eggs were also distributed from February 3, 2025, through May 6, 2025, with sell by dates from March 4, 2025, to June 19, 2025, to Walmart locations in California, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Wyoming, New Mexico, Nebraska, Indiana and Illinois.

The recalled eggs will have printed on the carton or package a plant code number P-6562 or CA5330 with the Julian Dates between 32 to 126. The recalled retail eggs will be in fiber or plastic cartons, with the above codes printed on one side of the carton. (See photo following for Julian date location.)

Item Name Plant Number Carton UPC
Clover Organic Large Brown 12 eggs P-6562 or CA-5330 070852010427
First Street Cage Free Large Brown Loose 1 case=150 eggs P-6562 or CA-5330 041512039638
Nulaid Medium Brown Cage Free 12 eggs P-6562 or CA-5330 071230021042
Nulaid Jumbo Brown Cage Free 12 eggs P-6562 or CA-5330 071230021011
O Organics Cage Free Large Brown 6 eggs P-6562 or CA-5330 079893401522
O Organics Large Brown 12 eggs P-6562 or CA-5330 079893401508
O Organics Large Brown 18 eggs P-6562 or CA-5330 079893401546
Marketside Organic Large Cage Free Brown 12 eggs P-6562 or CA-5330 681131122771
Marketside Organic Large Cage Free Brown 18 eggs P-6562 or CA-5330 681131122801
Marketside Large Cage Free Brown 12 eggs P-6562 or CA-5330 681131122764
Marketside Large Cage Free Brown 18 eggs P-6562 or CA-5330 681131122795
Raley’s Large Cage Free Brown 12 eggs P-6562 or CA-5330 046567033310
Raley’s Large Cage Free Brown 18 eggs P-6562 or CA-5330 046567040325
Raley’s Organic Large Cage Free Brown 12 eggs P-6562 or CA-5330 046567028798
Raley’s Organic Large Cage Free Brown 18 eggs P-6562 or CA-5330 046567040295
Simple Truth Medium Brown Cage Free 18 eggs P-6562 or CA-5330 011110099327
Simple Truth Large Brown Cage Free 18 eggs P-6562 or CA-5330 011110873743
Sun Harvest Organic Cage Free Large Brown 12 eggs P-6562 or CA-5330 041512131950
Sun Harvest Organic Cage Free Large Brown 18 eggs P-6562 or CA-5330 041512145162
Sunnyside Large Brown Cage Free 12 eggs P-6562 or CA-5330 717544211747
Sunnyside Large Brown Cage Free 18 eggs P-6562 or CA-5330 717544211754
Sunnyside Organic Cage Free Large Brown 12 eggs P-6562 or CA-5330 717544201441
Sunnyside Organic Cage Free Large Brown 18 eggs P-6562 or CA-5330 717544211761
Loose Small Brown Cage Free-1 box= 6 flats (1 flat= 30 eggs) P-6562 or CA-5330 NA
Loose Medium Brown Cage Free -1 box= 6 flats (1 flat= 30 eggs) P-6562 or CA-5330 NA
Loose Medium Brown Organic -1 box= 6 flats (1 flat= 30 eggs) P-6562 or CA-5330 NA
Loose Large Brown Organic-1 box= 6 flats (1 flat= 30 eggs) P-6562 or CA-5330 NA
Loose Jumbo Brown Cage Free -1 box=5 flats(1 flat=20 eggs) P-6562 or CA-5330 NA
Loose Jumbo Brown Organic -1 box=5 flats(1 flat=20 eggs) P-6562 or CA-5330 NA

This recall is associated with an ongoing outbreak investigation of Salmonella Enteritidis illnesses. Products were distributed in AZ, CA, IL, IN, NE, NM, NV, WA and WY.

August Egg Company is not selling fresh shell eggs at this time. Our firm has voluntarily been diverting eggs to an egg-breaking plant for over 30 days, which pasteurizes the eggs and kills any potential foodborne pathogens.

Consumers who may have eggs produced in this plant, as identified by the plant code on one side of the egg carton, should return it to their place of purchase for a full refund. Further questions may be directed to the company at 1-800-710-2554, between 9am and 5pm PT.
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Additional Comments from August Egg Company:

“August Egg Company of Hilmar, CA is voluntarily recalling 1,700,000 dozen shell eggs processed at our California plant and sold to various grocery customers. This recall has been initiated due to possible Salmonella enteritidis contamination, which poses a health risk. With that in mind, we believe it is appropriate out of an abundance of caution to conduct this voluntary recall, as consumers may still have these eggs in their homes.

“It is important to know that when our processing plant identified this concern, we immediately began diverting all eggs from the plant to an egg-breaking facility, which pasteurizes the eggs and kills any pathogens.

“August Egg Company’s internal food safety team also is conducting its own stringent review to identify what measures can be established to prevent this situation from recurring. We are committed to addressing this matter fully and to implementing all necessary corrective actions to ensure this does not happen again.”

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